Learn how to use Tableau, a powerful data visualization tool, to create interactive and aesthetically pleasing charts, graphs, and maps. This course will teach you how to connect to datasets, analyze and structure data, customize visualizations, and publish your work.
Learn Tableau for data visualization and become a certified Tableau Desktop Specialist in this hands-on certification course.
Learn the essential skills needed to become a Data Analyst or Business Analyst, including data analysis, data visualization, and statistical analysis. Gain practical experience through real-world projects and prepare for a successful career in the field of data analytics.
Tableau is a visual Data Analytics platform that is designed to help people see and understand data. It is relatively easy to use, can handle large amounts of data, and has many different data visualization tools. With this application, you can visualize data in many different ways, including through graphs, charts, dashboards, maps, and stories. Tableau was founded in 2003 by Chris Stolte, Pat Hanrahan, and Christian Chabot, and was acquired by Salesforce in 2019. It has become one of the most popular data visualization applications.
Proficiency in Tableau—in addition to other data analytics skills—can qualify you to work in the in-demand field of Data Analytics. On its website, the World Data Science Initiative explains that skilled Data Analysts are highly sought after. It says, “Data is everywhere! Businesses across the world are constantly generating data on various parameters of their work, and this data is often used to extract valuable insights that could guide the future course of action.” As a result, it says, “A lot of companies are on the lookout for Data Science professionals!”
When you take a Tableau class, you’ll learn many different data visualization skills. For instance, you’ll learn how to create Dashboards and Stories. You’ll also learn how to design maps. In addition, you’ll learn how to distribute and publish your visualizations so that you can share them with other people.
Since Tableau is a data visualization tool, when you take a Tableau class, you’ll learn about data visualization. This means using a variety of visual elements—like graphs and charts—to display your data. Visualization can help you more easily see relationships and trends in the data and is also an effective way to share your findings with others.
One way to visualize your data in Tableau is to create a Dashboard. A Dashboard is a collection of multiple data visualizations. It lets you look at, and compare, several different visualizations at the same time. Dashboards are a fundamental Tableau skill and are covered in most classes.
A Story is another fundamental Tableau tool. It is a sequence of visualizations and is an effective way to show how sets of data are related. The Tableau website explains that you can use Stories to do things like providing context, telling a data narrative, or showing how decisions are related to outcomes. Most Tableau classes cover creating Stories.
Maps are another way to visualize data in Tableau. Tableau has many advanced mapping tools, which allow you to create customized and interactive maps. These may be covered in a Tableau class.
In addition to learning how to create data visualizations in Tableau, you’ll also need to learn how to share your visualizations with others. Distributing and publishing your visualizations are skills likely to be covered in a Tableau class.
Most people say that Tableau is relatively easy to learn, even if you don’t have a technical background. According to a February 2019 article on the Tableau blog, “We hear all the time from the community that getting started with Tableau can be as easy as jumping in and playing around!” While not everyone will find it quite this easy, and it will be more challenging to master all of Tableau’s features, most people do agree that the application can be learned fairly easily.
Most people say that you can pick up some basic Tableau skills within a few days, and you can master most of this application’s features within about six months. If you already have some experience with data analysis, you’re likely to learn more quickly. Taking a paid class can also be a good way to speed up the learning process. When you take a class, you’ll be guided through your lessons by an experienced teacher who can answer your questions, give you feedback on your progress, and share tips and tricks.
If you’re planning to learn Tableau, you’ll find several different class options, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages. One popular way to learn is to enroll in an in-person Tableau class. Many people find in-person learning to be the most engaging format, and they like that they can interact with their instructor in real-time. With in-person learning, you can also interact easily with fellow students, which can lead to additional learning and networking opportunities. A downside of in-person learning is that you need to commute to a classroom and are limited to classes in your geographic area. In contrast, live online learning does not have these disadvantages. When you take a live online class, you attend via computer, so no commute is required, and you’re also likely to have many more class options. A downside is that you’ll probably have to supply your own equipment and software. In addition, while you interact with the instructor and students in real-time, it is not exactly the same as doing so face-to-face. A third class option is on-demand learning. Unlike in-person and live online classes, on-demand classes are asynchronous. You work through pre-recorded material at your pace. This gives you flexibility; you can set your schedule and learn at your pace. However, you don’t get access to a live instructor, and you’ll need to have the motivation to direct your own learning.
There are several free Tableau resources online, which can be a good way to pick up a new skill, troubleshoot a problem, or get a general overview of Tableau. Noble Desktop has a Learning Resources section on its webpage that contains free information about Tableau and many other digital tools, including information about how these tools are used, and how to go about learning them. If you want to comprehensively learn this application, you’ll likely need to enroll in a paid Tableau class. When you take a paid class, an experienced instructor guides you through the learning process, answering your questions and giving you feedback. In addition, you can be sure that the information you’re receiving is accurate and up-to-date. Another benefit of a paid class is that many come with a certificate of completion.
When you’re learning Tableau, it can also be a good idea to work on your communication skills. Tableau is used for data visualization, and most people who use it also need to communicate their findings to others. In an article titled, “What Are the Most Important Communication Skills for Data Analysts?” LinkedIn explains that people who work in data analysis need many different types of communication skills. It lists six: listening, writing, speaking, data visualization, collaboration, and critical thinking. Practice is a great way to improve all of these skills.
Tableau is used in a wide range of different industries. Many financial companies use this application and other data analytics tools to help them make better decisions about how to manage their money. The retail sector also collects and analyzes a lot of data to improve products, marketing strategies, and consumer experiences. Public sector companies like healthcare companies and government agencies also commonly need to make sense of large amounts of data and may utilize Tableau. In a 2023 report, the Boston Planning & Development Agency states that the city is experiencing strong economic growth and added more than 18,000 jobs in 2022. It has opportunities in many of the industries where Tableau is used.
Data Analysts collect, process, and analyze data. They use many different tools, including Tableau, and they work in a wide range of different industries. To work as a Data Analyst, you’ll need strong math, problem-solving, and analytical skills. The average yearly salary for this profession is $75,000 to $77,000 per year.
Data Scientists have a similar role to Data Analysts—which is collecting and analyzing data—but they also create their own data analysis tools. Data Scientists often use Tableau and other visualization tools. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS), a federal agency that publishes U.S. labor market data, explains, “Visualization techniques allow data scientists to clearly communicate their analyses to technical and nontechnical audiences, including colleagues, managers, and clients. Ensuring that audiences understand the information helps data scientists make recommendations for business decisions or process changes based on the results of their analysis.” In general, this job requires more education and experience than that of a Data Analyst. According to the BLS, between 2022 and 2032, data science jobs are likely to grow by 35 percent. This rate is significantly higher than the average U.S. job growth rate of only 3 percent. The agency finds that the Boston metropolitan area is a top employer of Data Scientists, employing more than 6,000 people. The average salary for a Data Scientist is $120,000 to $124,000 yearly.
Business Analysts use Tableau and other data analytics tools to analyze data for businesses. They use their findings to help those businesses improve their products and business processes. A Business Analyst earns $83,000 to $84,000 yearly.
Financial Analysts are data analytics experts who specialize in analyzing financial data, and they often use Tableau. They use their skills to help companies make better financial decisions. According to the BLS, financial analysis jobs will grow by 8 percent over the next ten years, which is faster than average. It reports that the Boston metropolitan area is the second-highest employer of Financial and Investment Analysts in the United States, employing about 15,000 people. It is also a top-paying area. The average salary for a Financial Analyst is $76,000 to $85,000.
If you’re in Boston and you want to learn Tableau, there are several different options. Boston University offers a Data Visualization class. The goal of the class is to give students the skills they need to use Tableau and other popular data visualization applications. Students learn to query databases, validate data, and integrate data sources. They also learn to choose the best visualization option, create automated dashboards, and build an overall visual system.
Noble Desktop offers several different Tableau classes in a live online format. In Tableau Level I, you’ll learn Tableau fundamentals like running calculations, formatting, and manipulating data. You’ll also learn about advanced visualization tools, how to create Dashboards and Stories, and how to publish and distribute information. In Tableau Level II, you’ll learn more advanced skills such as making custom charts and converting geographic data into maps. Noble Desktop was founded in 1990 and is licensed by the New York State Education Department. Its classes come with the option for a free retake within one year.
Noble also offers a Tableau Certification Program, where you can become a certified Tableau Desktop Specialist. With this course, you’ll get two Tableau classes, which cover beginner through advanced skills including mapping data, Dashboards, Stories, and charts. You’ll also get six hours of private tutoring to help you prepare for the exam. Finally, you’ll take the Tableau Desktop Specialist certification exam. Proctoring and a free retake are included in your course fee. If you prefer not to take the exam, you can opt for an extra hour of private tutoring instead.
NYC Career Centers also offers live online Tableau classes. The Tableau Bootcamp is a combination of the school’s Level I and Level II classes. In this bootcamp, you’ll learn to create Dashboards and data visualizations. Some of the specific skills covered are formatting, Tableau calculations, organization tools, and distributing and publishing techniques. You’ll also learn how to create a dual-axis chart, use storytelling, modify and update data, and map data.
Ledet Training also offers Tableau classes. Tableau 501 is a multi-day bootcamp that covers beginner through advanced Tableau skills. It covers connecting to data, filtering data, basic calculations, showing breakdowns of data, and sharing interactive Dashboards. In addition, students learn a range of advanced skills such as parameters, reference lines, animating data, distributions, and forecasting. Instructors also cover advanced chart types such as waterfall charts, as well as best practices. Ledet Training is based in Atlanta, and runs both in-person and live online training.
Another training option is Tableau Desktop Level 1, which runs through ONLC Training Centers, a school that has hundreds of U.S. training locations. This class covers table calculations, telling a story with Dashboards, formatting a visualization, and using row-level, aggregate, and level-of-detail calculations. Students also learn more advanced skills, including visualizing distributions, visualizing dates and times, and relating parts of the data to the whole.
In order to enroll in this class, students should have experience working with Microsoft Excel. ONLC also offers a Tableau Desktop Level 2 class. Students who take both the level 1 and level 2 classes are likely to be prepared to take the Tableau Qualified Associate exam.
Chicago-based Computer Training Source runs a variety of live online classes, including Tableau classes. Tableau Part 1 is a beginner class. It covers connecting with data, creating visualizations, creating Dashboards, working with maps, creating Stories, and sharing visualizations. Students also learn to sort and filter data, format, and create line and bar charts.
Cornell, which is Cornell University’s executive education unit, offers an on-demand Tableau course called Data Visualization in Tableau. The course consists of three mandatory classes; Creating Data Visualizations with Tableau, Enhancing Data Visualizations with Tableau, and Telling a Data-Drive Story with Tableau. Students also take one elective course and a Leadership Symposium class. A range of different skills are covered including collecting and preparing data, creating charts, enhancing visualizations, and telling a story. Students also learn how to handle technical or complicated content, and ways to get feedback.
If you’d like to train a group of employees in Tableau, Noble Desktop offers onsite and virtual corporate Tableau training. Our skilled instructors have real-world experience using this application, and can come to your office or conduct a live online training through Zoom or a similar platform. Content can be customized to meet your needs, and there are a variety of flexible scheduling options. Another training option is to purchase vouchers to Noble’s regular group classes and allow your employees to enroll individually. A discount is offered with bulk voucher purchases. Employees who take part in training also receive support materials to use after the class is over, including handouts and access to training videos. To get more information about corporate training options with Noble Desktop, send us an email.