How Do I Create a Shape Palette in Tableau?

To create a custom shape palette in Tableau, you primarily add your own shape image files to the Tableau repository's Shapes folder.

Steps to Create a Custom Shape Palette

Creating a custom shape palette involves adding your desired image files to the correct location and then reloading them within Tableau Desktop.

Here are the steps:

1. Locate the Shapes Folder: Navigate to your Tableau Repository folder on your computer. Inside this repository, you will find a folder specifically named Shapes.
2. Create a New Folder: Within the Shapes folder, create a brand new folder. This new folder will represent your custom shape palette.
3. Name Your Palette: Give this new folder a descriptive name. For example, as suggested in the reference, you could name it "Custom Shapes" or something relevant to the shapes you are adding (e.g., "Business Icons", "Geography Markers").
4. Add Your Shape Images: Copy your custom shape image files (typically .png, .jpg, .gif, etc.) into the folder you just created within the Shapes directory.
5. Reload Shapes in Tableau:
   • Open Tableau Desktop.
   • Go to the Marks card and click on the dropdown menu, selecting Shape.
   • Click on the Shape dropdown button that appears.
   • In the shape editor dialog, click the Reload Shapes button.

Once you click Reload Shapes, Tableau will scan the Shapes folder (including your new subfolder) and make your custom shapes available.

Your custom shapes should now appear as a new palette option in the dropdown menu within the shape editor, listed under the name you gave your new folder. You can then select this palette and assign your custom shapes to different dimensions in your view.