What is data blending in Tableau used for?

Data blending in Tableau is specifically designed to combine data from multiple sources for analysis, which is why this option is the most appropriate choice. This technique is particularly valuable when you have two different datasets that you want to analyze together without having to physically merge them into a single source.

When using data blending, Tableau creates a relationship between the data sources based on common dimensions, allowing for a more integrated view of the information. This means you can create visualizations using fields from both datasets seamlessly, enhancing your ability to conduct comparative analysis or gain deeper insights.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary purpose of data blending. For instance, cleansing and preparing data is a different function often handled by Tableau Prep or other data preparation tools. Creating complex calculated fields involves combining or manipulating dimensions and measures within a single data source rather than blending multiple sources. Visualizing unstructured data typically refers to working with data that does not have a predefined model, which falls outside the specific scope of data blending. Therefore, the choice that aligns with the fundamental purpose of data blending is the effective combination of multiple data sources for unified analysis.