What is Tableau?
Tableau is the fastest-growing platform for visual analytics 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. This is why Tableau is considered to be the leading analytics platform for business intelligence.
Since its founding in 2003, Tableau has evolved from a computer science project of students at Stanford into one of the most widely used data visualization tools in existence. 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 customers 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.
This article will explore some of Tableau’s lesser-known features for data analytics and visualization.
8 Unconventional Uses for Tableau
For nearly twenty years, Tableau has been one of the leading data visualization and business intelligence platforms. Because Tableau offers so many features and tools, it’s impossible for most users to become familiar with all the capabilities of this software. Most Tableau users regularly use only a fraction of Tableau’s features and don’t realize that so many others are available as well.
Here are eight uses for Tableau that many users may not know about:
- Column and row switching: This simple tip helps those working with Tableau to quickly switch rows to columns, or columns to rows. Tableau has a keyboard shortcut that allows users to immediately make this switch. To do so, click on CTRL + W, and the values will flip.
- Hide or unhide fields: Certain datasets are so large in size that a dashboard can quickly become cluttered with fields and lists. This congestion can make it harder for audience members to absorb meaningful insights. Tableau’s “Hide All Unused Fields” button can help with this problem. Users simply click on the down arrow in the “Data” tab, then hold down SHIFT or CTRL to select which of the fields to unhide. Make sure to take note of the fact that the “fields” hierarchy won’t be preserved when all fields are unhidden.
- Colorize charts: There is an easy way in Tableau to add color to a basic-looking chart. Users who wish to spruce up bland charts can drag a pill onto the chart to assign the desired color.
- Less-used table calculations: Most Data Analysts who use Tableau work with calculations on a regular basis. However, a few calculations tend to be under-used such as moving average and percentile. Percentile measurements are helpful in many instances beyond calculating standardized test score measurements, like helping to make complex datasets more accessible by visually depicting where one data point is with regard to the overall distribution. Moving average pertains to a series of averages that are extracted from successive dataset segments. This calculation is particularly useful for eliminating undesired data noise. Moving average can be customized as well to provide specific data insights relevant to the research question at hand.
- Captions: It can be difficult to open a workbook someone else made and orient to what is happening in the view. In instances such as this, Tableau users can look through each calculated field and filter, but this requires time and can be a cumbersome process. Using captions is one solution to this problem. By right-clicking on a worksheet, captions can be added. Tableau automatically provides a caption pertaining to what is on view, but these captions can be customized and used to define things like what is being filtered out and why this is so, as well as how particular fields were calculated. This information provides current and future users with a valuable context of how the sheet is intended to be viewed.
- Instantly duplicate fields: For Tableau users who are tasked with duplicating fields such as in situations when a dual-axis chart necessitates the same field to be represented twice, there is an easy way to perform this task. Users simply hold down CTRL, then drag the specific pill in the “Rows” or “Columns” field next to itself to make a duplicate.
- Simplify the search for fields and names: Because BI datasets can be huge in size, it is a daunting and time-consuming task to manually search through formulas and fields. Tableau has two shortcuts to help speed up searches. Users can type in the CTRL + F shortcut to search for fields at any point during data visualization. The second shortcut involves double-clicking on the white space in “Columns” or “Rows, ” which will create a text box where users can search for a specific formula or field. These two options provide a dropdown list of potential selections, which further simplifies the search process.
- Data splitting: When Tableau users need data split into two fields such as when a dataset has a list of names that are displayed in one dimension with the first name and surname linked, there is an easy solution. Instead of having to manually divide the list, the “Split” function allows users to instantaneously split data. In order to do so, users right-click on “Transform, ” then “Split” on any dimension that must be divided. Tableau will then automatically deduce the most probable split you are trying to execute. In instances where the platform assumes incorrectly, users can override the split by entering the delimiter manually to make the Tableau split adhere to their parameters.
With each new version of Tableau that is released, new features, functions, and tools are added to the platform. This ensures that all users have the most helpful visualization and BI resources available.
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. These small group classes 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.