# Groups and hierarchies for organizing dimensions

*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/groups-and-hierarchies-for-organizing-dimensions*

Combine dimension members into groups from the Data pane, from headers or from marks, add an Other group, and organize fields into hierarchies you drill with + and -. Covers the Desktop versus web paths and what Remove Hierarchy really removes.

- 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:**

> Organize data and apply filters: Create groups by using marks, headers, and the data pane; Create sets by using marks and the data pane; Organize dimensions into a hierarchy; Add a filter to a view; Add a date filter.

## What the exam expects

- Create a group from a field in the Data pane (Create > Group), even when the field isn't in any view yet.
- Create a group from selected headers or marks, on Tableau Desktop and on Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud, and answer the prompt Tableau shows when the view has several dimensions.
- Use Include 'Other' to compare chosen groups against everything else, and edit, rename or ungroup members.
- Organize dimensions into a hierarchy, drill down and up with the + and - icons, and remove a hierarchy.
- Tell a group apart from an alias, a set, a filter and a combined field.

Key terms:
- **Group:** a field that combines related members of a dimension into one member, such as several majors into Science Majors.
- **Other group:** an optional member that collects every member you didn't group.
- **Hierarchy:** an ordered set of fields in the Data pane, such as Region, State and County, that you drill through in the view.
- **Drill down / up:** adding or removing the next hierarchy level in the view with the + or - icon.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Group from the Data pane | Right-click the field, Create > Group, select members, click Group | [Group Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/sortgroup_groups_creating.htm) |
| Find in the Create Group dialog | Tableau Desktop only | [Group Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/sortgroup_groups_creating.htm) |
| Group selected marks with several dimensions | Tableau asks to group all dimensions or just one | [Group Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/sortgroup_groups_creating.htm) |
| Group headers on Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud | Group icon on the tooltip | [Grouping Headers](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/sortgroup_groups.htm) |
| Group headers on Tableau Desktop | Toolbar Group button, right-click Group, or tooltip icon | [Grouping Headers](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/sortgroup_groups.htm) |
| Include 'Other' | Edit Group dialog; collects all non-grouped members | [Group Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/sortgroup_groups_creating.htm) |
| Create a hierarchy | Drop a field on top of another in the Data pane, then name it | [Create Hierarchies](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/qs_hierarchies.htm) |
| Drill a hierarchy | + or - icon on the field; on the web also next to a field label | [Create Hierarchies](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/qs_hierarchies.htm) |
| Remove Hierarchy | Hierarchy disappears; fields stay in the Data pane | [Create Hierarchies](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/qs_hierarchies.htm) |

## Check yourself

- Why does a view no longer show the original dimension on Rows after you group its headers?
- When do you use Create Hierarchy from the field's menu instead of dropping one field on another?
- When is an alias the right tool rather than a group?
- What name does Tableau give a new group by default?

## Sources

- [Group Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/sortgroup_groups_creating.htm)
- [Correct Data Errors or Combine Dimension Members by Grouping Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/sortgroup_groups.htm)
- [Create Hierarchies](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/qs_hierarchies.htm)
- [Create Aliases to Rename Members in the View](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/datafields_fieldproperties_aliases_ex1editing.htm)
- [Create Sets](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/sortgroup_sets_create.htm)
- [Organize and Customize Fields in the Data Pane](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/datafields_dwfeatures.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 7 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Desktop Foundations pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams