Tableau is a tool that professionals use to create compelling data visualizations, including interactive data dashboards. These dashboards can be shared with organizational leaders and decision-makers, allowing them to see patterns and trends in large amounts of data quickly. Using interactive data visualization dashboards, individuals can also slice and dice data in different ways to see how inputs may change overall patterns and trends.
Tableau is an easy-to-use software, which means that even those without a technical background can learn to use this program. Because this product is intuitive to learn, it’s incredibly popular. Its versatility, simplicity, and ability to visualize large amounts of data appeal to both small businesses and large companies such as Verizon, Whole Foods, and Cigna. Public organizations like state and local governments also organize and display their data using Tableau.
Features of Tableau
Individuals interested in learning how to use Tableau will appreciate that it has both paid and free versions. Individuals can learn how to use this software to manage, analyze, and visualize their data even on a limited budget. For example, one of its products saves data publicly to the cloud so that anyone can view the data and visualizations; of course, this feature is best for those who aren’t dealing with confidential information!
Another key feature of Tableau is its data blending ability. In other words, Tableau users can easily combine data sets from multiple sources into one new, single data set. This blended data can then be used for visualization or other analysis purposes. Tableau has many different visualization options, from charts and graphs to geographic maps. Another factor that contributes to Tableau’s popularity is that it’s easy to use and intuitive to learn. As such, professionals can use this tool to build or manipulate powerful visualizations that can be used for organizational decision-making.
Tableau Products
Tableau offers eight different products, each of which provides unique features and functions. Each product is priced accordingly to the unique features it offers. These numerous features make it easy for users to find a product that meets their specific needs and budget. Tableau products include:
- Tableau Online
- Tableau Desktop
- Tableau Public Desktop
- Tableau Public Server
- Tableau Reader
- Tableau Mobile
- Tableau Prep Builder
Tableau Desktop allows users to make dashboards, charts, and formulas. The free version of this product, Tableau Public Desktop, provides anyone access to your data. As such, individuals dealing with more sensitive information would be better served by paying for Tableau Desktop.
Individuals who would like to access Tableau while on the go will appreciate Tableau Online and Tableau Mobile, each of which allows individuals to access their visualizations from anywhere.
Tableau Online allows users to view their dashboards from anywhere, while Tableau Desktop users must rely upon their desktop computer to access Tableau. These products offer the same basic functions that allow users to analyze data and make dashboards, charts, and other data visualizations.
Users can also decide whether or not they’d like to use a private or public server for their visualizations. Tableau Server is a paid application that creates a safe environment for individuals across your organization to access data and build charts. Those working with less-sensitive information may choose to use Tableau Public Server, enabling users to post their visualizations publicly.
Finally, Tableau Prep Builder enables users to clean and blend raw data. Users can thus pull information from multiple sources and data sets, then combine them in one place for analysis and visualization.
Who Uses Tableau?
Due to its versatility, Tableau is used by a wide variety of professionals and students. In particular, Data Scientists and Data Analysts appreciate Tableau’s more advanced capabilities that allow them to perform complicated calculations. These positions also benefit from the fact that Tableau integrates with R and Python. Using Tableau, Data Scientists and Data Analysts can thus easily share their findings in attractive, interactive charts, graphs, and other visualizations.
Business owners and business analysts use Tableau to help them make decisions about the direction of their organization. Tableau allows analysts to efficiently synthesize and visualize data that can help an organization analyze its financials. In doing so, individuals can forecast for the future and determine the overall direction of their operations.
Students can use Tableau when it comes time to present their work in reports and presentations. This is especially true for individuals pursuing coursework in scientific or financial fields that rely upon large amounts of data. Similarly, professors can use Tableau for presenting information to students (for example, grade distributions) or even at academic conferences when presenting research and findings to their colleagues.
Where to Learn Tableau
Learning Tableau can help professionals take their analysis and visualization skills to the next level. Data visualization is a valuable skill set that enables individuals to excel in their current roles and possibly pursue new ones! One of the best ways to learn Tableau is by taking a hands-on, interactive class.
NYIM offers several live online and in-person Tableau classes open to beginners. In-person classes take place in New York City. These classes range in price from $299 to $499 and are kept small, allowing students to collaborate with one another easily and receive individualized support from instructors.
NYIM’s Tableau Bootcamp teaches the basics of Tableau in just two days. This helps students learn how to connect datasets to Tableau and then analyze, filter, and structure data. Additionally, this course covers how to create maps to present geographic data.
NYIM’s Tableau Level 1 course discusses the functions within Tableau Public, including how to identify which datasets you can connect to. Additionally, students learn how to analyze, filter, and structure data so that they can create visualizations using this software. The school’s Tableau Level 2 course builds upon this knowledge and teaches students how to customize their visualizations. Students also learn how to create maps to represent geographic data.
