# Crosstabs and highlight tables

*Tableau Desktop Foundations Study Guide · Exploring and Analyzing Data · Last updated October 29, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-desktop-foundations/exploring-and-analyzing-data/crosstabs-and-highlight-tables*

How to show exact values in a text table (crosstab) and shade them in a highlight table: dimensions on Rows and Columns, a measure on Text or on Color with Square marks, and how a diverging palette and Use Full Color Range change the shading around zero.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Desktop Foundations
- Exam section: Exploring and Analyzing Data
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-desktop-foundations

**Official exam objective:**

> Create basic charts: Create a bar chart; Create a line chart; Create a scatterplot; Create a map using geographic data; Create a combined axis chart; Create a dual axis chart; Create a stacked bar; Create a density map; Create a chart to show specific values (crosstab, highlight table).

## What the exam expects

- Build a text table (crosstab) that prints exact values: one dimension on Rows, another on Columns, a measure on Text on the Marks card.
- Turn a table of dimensions into a highlight table: Square mark type and a measure on Color, so each cell is shaded by its value.
- Tell a highlight table from a heat map (a measure on Size as well) and from a density map (the Density mark for overlapping points).
- Decide whether to select Use Full Color Range on a diverging palette, given how the shading should behave on each side of zero.
- Show several measures in one text table with Measure Names and Measure Values.

Key terms:
- **Text table (crosstab):** a grid of row and column headers whose cells display numbers as Text marks; also called a cross-tab or pivot table.
- **Highlight table:** a text-table layout drawn with Square marks and a measure on Color, so cell color shows the value.
- **Heat map:** a highlight table whose box sizes are also set by a measure on Size.
- **Diverging palette:** a quantitative palette with two color ranges, one on each side of a center point.
- **Use Full Color Range:** an Edit Colors option that gives both ends of a diverging range full intensity.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Text table build | One dimension on Rows, another on Columns, measure on Text | [Build a Text Table](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/buildexamples_text.htm) |
| Automatic mark for dimensions only | Text, when dimensions are inner fields on both shelves | [Change the Type of Mark in the View](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/viewparts_marks_marktypes.htm) |
| Crosstab from any view | Worksheet > Duplicate as Crosstab | [Change the Type of Mark in the View](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/viewparts_marks_marktypes.htm) |
| Highlight table build | Dimensions on Rows and Columns, Square mark, measure on Color | [Build a Highlight Table or Heat Map](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/buildexamples_highlight.htm) |
| Measure on Color in a text table | Tableau converts the marks to squares | [Change the Type of Mark in the View](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/viewparts_marks_marktypes.htm) |
| Heat map | Highlight table plus a measure on Size | [Build a Highlight Table or Heat Map](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/buildexamples_highlight.htm) |
| Second measure in a text table | Measure Values on Text, Measure Names on Rows | [Measure Values and Measure Names](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/datafields_understanddatawindow_meavalues.htm) |
| Mixed-sign continuous field on Color | Diverging palette by default | [Color Palettes and Effects](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/viewparts_marks_markproperties_color.htm) |
| Use Full Color Range cleared | Intensity as if the range were symmetric around zero | [Color Palettes and Effects](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/viewparts_marks_markproperties_color.htm) |

## Check yourself

- Why does a view with only dimensions on Rows and Columns show "Abc" in each cell?
- When does a highlight table become a heat map?
- What does Tableau add to a text table when you drop in a second measure?
- When should you select Use Full Color Range on a diverging palette?

## Sources

- [Build a Text Table](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/buildexamples_text.htm)
- [Build a Highlight Table or Heat Map](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/buildexamples_highlight.htm)
- [Change the Type of Mark in the View](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/viewparts_marks_marktypes.htm)
- [Color Palettes and Effects](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/viewparts_marks_markproperties_color.htm)
- [Measure Values and Measure Names](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/datafields_understanddatawindow_meavalues.htm)
- [Choose the Right Chart Type for Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/what_chart_example.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 3 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Desktop Foundations pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams