Tableau is the fastest-growing platform for visual analytics available on the market. It allows users to simplify raw data into a format that’s easy to access and understand by those working at any level of an organization. Even non-technical Tableau users can create customized dashboards and worksheets with the help of this versatile tool. It’s relied on by teachers, students, Data Scientists, Analysts, executives, and business owners for their end-to-end analytics needs. For these reasons, Tableau is considered to be the leading analytics platform for business intelligence.

In 2003, Tableau was created as a way to improve analysis flow and use visualizations to make data more accessible. This value continues to inform Tableau’s evolution. Currently, Tableau offers a complete and integrated platform for data analytics. It provides its users with the necessary resources to help them thrive in a data-driven culture. Some of Tableau’s most remarkable features include its capacity for data blending, real-time analysis, and data collaboration. Because Tableau does not require programming skills or technical expertise to operate, users of all backgrounds can easily work with this software. It can be installed directly onto one’s hardware from a web download and be operational in just twenty minutes.

The Tableau product suite is used by many companies, like Skype, Wells Fargo, Nike, and Coca-Cola, for data visualization. In fact, thousands of companies and organizations use Tableau for their data analytic and visualization needs. This article will explore how Tableau is used specifically by Data Analysts to collect, clean, analyze, visualize, and report on data.

Why Use Tableau?

Users cite many benefits to working with Tableau for data analytics. This software:

  • Performs well on mobile devices
  • Can handle large amounts of data
  • Is able to connect to multiple data sources
  • Works with multiple scripting languages
  • Has minimal hardware requirements/no need for a dedicated server
  • Reduces network traffic
  • Has a growing community and forum of dedicated users

How is Tableau Used in Data Analytics?

For those who are passionate about analyzing and visualizing data, Tableau offers many benefits. Tableau users from various backgrounds, even those who have limited technical abilities, can work with its flexible front end features to perform basic go-to metrics as well as more complicated analytic techniques. This tool incorporates R and Python integration, predictive capabilities, rapid cohort analysis, and complex calculations so that Data Analysts and Data Scientists can execute nuanced quantitative analyses and then share the resulting visualizations.

Here are just a few of the uses for Tableau in the field of data analytics:

    • Extracting data from multiple sources: Tableau makes it easy to pull data from various sources. It can be connected to a variety of sources of data, as well as different types of data. It is also able to depict all these types of data in one place by using data visualizations.
    • Preparing data: Tableau Prep enables users to collate data from various types of files and sources. It also provides a means to combine files with the same column names into a single data source, which eliminates the time wasted copying and pasting.
    • Processing data quickly: The longer a business operates, the more data it will collect. Businesses have a perpetual need for data analytic tools that can handle large amounts of data. Tableau can process millions of data rows quickly, and generate different visualizations that depict this data without sacrificing dashboard performance. It can also establish live connections to data sources, which leads to real-time changes in visualizations, depending on the data that is being accessed.
    • Exploring data: Tableau’s intuitive interface offers drag-and-drop capabilities, which provide additional flexibility for users.
    • Performing calculations: Tableau is equipped with a calculation language that simplifies the act of executing difficult calculations and complex statistical functions. Tableau’s intuitive interface can handle a range of mathematical tasks, from aggregations to covariance and correlation.
    • Analyzing data: One of the best ways to gain insights from data is to visualize it through various perspectives. Tableau allows users to create “if” scenarios, which provides a means for visualizing hypothetical outcomes. Moreover, dynamic components can be added when analyzing or comparing different scenarios. This allows users to work with real-time data in order to review correlations between various pieces of data.
    • Visualizing data: The Show Me feature on Tableau is a powerful tool designed to help users quickly create visualizations. It provides options for a variety of chart types and eliminates the need to reformat or realign data based on the type of chart selected.
    • Interacting with others: Those using Tableau’s dashboards are able to access dashboards that were designed by Data Analysts and even customize them to meet their own needs.
    • Customizing data reports: One of the most important aspects of the data analytics process is reporting on data. Better reporting options allow for better data representations. Tableau provides users with many options for data report customizations so that data can be represented in a way that best suits the needs of customers, clients, or managers. This subsequently leads to more helpful conclusions.
    • Connecting with a larger community: Tableau Public provides a vibrant community in which Data Analysts and other users can learn from each other and collaborate on various endeavors. Tableau also provides patches, new products, and upgrades based on community feedback, which ensures its products are as up-to-date as possible.

Tableau’s dynamic software makes the process of using data to both ask and answer questions an intuitive one. The visuals that drive analysis allow users to continue to ask “Why?” even when this question grows in scope or complexity. In addition, sharing these visual results within a company, organization, or business can lead to more informed decision-making, greater collaboration, and more successful business outcomes.

Is Tableau Right for You?

In order to decide if Tableau is right for your organization, and if so which version is the best, it’s important to keep in mind a few key considerations: How important is it for people on your team to be able to collaborate using Tableau? Do your employees have the necessary hardware to run the software? Does Tableau’s educational approach lend itself to your team’s learning style? And, is the cost in line with your corporate budget?

Ultimately, although there are alternatives to working with Tableau, it’s difficult to find software that matches its ease of use, simplicity, and the quality of its visual outputs.

Hands-On Tableau Classes

For those who want to learn how to create stunning and engaging data visualizations, maps, charts, and graphs, Noble Desktop’s Tableau classes provide a great option. Small group courses are available in-person in NYC, as well as in the live online format. These Tableau-focused courses teach students skills like how to spot the most optimal datasets to connect to, as well as how to analyze, filter, structure, and visually represent data.

In addition, a variety of live online Tableau courses are also currently available from top training providers. These interactive classes are taught in real-time and provide all learners with access to an instructor who is live and ready to provide feedback and answer questions. Courses range from seven hours to five days in duration and cost $299- $2,199.

Those who are interested in finding nearby Tableau classes can use Noble’s Tableau Classes Near Me tool. This handy tool provides an easy way to locate and browse more than three dozen of the best Tableau classes currently offered in the in-person and live online formats so that all interested learners can find the course that works best for them. Classes are between seven hours and five days in duration and are available for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students.