What does a heat map represent in Tableau?

A heat map in Tableau effectively represents data intensity through the use of color within a matrix format. This visualization allows for the easy identification of patterns across two categorical dimensions. By varying color shades, users can quickly ascertain which combinations exhibit higher or lower values, showcasing density or frequency.

Heat maps are particularly valuable when analyzing large datasets where understanding relationships and distributions among different categories is essential. The color gradient highlights areas of significance or interest, making it simpler to spot trends and anomalies that might otherwise be overlooked in a traditional tabular format. This visual approach emphasizes variations in data, providing a powerful tool for comparative analysis.