A range of course offerings is available for those interested in learning Tableau, a popular data visualization tool. Classes at different learning levels and durations are available from top educational providers to accommodate various sorts of scheduling availability. Short introductory-level courses are a great option for those new to visualizing data. Intermediate and advanced-level coursework is also short in duration and is suited for those who already have Tableau training and wish to learn more complex functions. Bootcamps and certificates are intended for those seeking more comprehensive study. Students can select from virtual or in-person coursework. Depending on their availability, they can also choose to study full-time or part-time. For those interested in dictating the pace of their study, as well as when and where they wish to complete it, asynchronous Tableau training is the most flexible and accommodating way to study this software.

What is Tableau?

Tableau is a data visualization tool. This software can simplify raw data into an accessible dashboard format that incorporates visual depictions of raw data, which can then be understood by various professionals working within a company.

Tableau provides features for real-time analysis, data blending, and collaboration capabilities. It allows Data Analysts to manipulate live datasets and devote more effort to analysis than data wrangling. Because Tableau doesn’t require programming or technical skills, it’s an accessible tool for data analytics.

Read more about what Tableau is and why you should learn it. 

Benefits of Learning Tableau

Learning to use Tableau has many professional benefits. The following are just a few reasons why you should consider studying this powerful data visualization tool:

• Tableau is considered easy to use for creating complex graphs and charts that depict data findings.
• Many career paths rely on Tableau, such as software engineering, business intelligence, data analytics, and business analytics.
• The average salary in the U.S. for Tableau professionals is over $100,000 a year.
• The Tableau Reporting Tool can manipulate or integrate any programming language or type of software.

Read more about why you should learn Tableau.

How Long Do Tableau Courses Last?

The length of time needed to study Tableau depends on the type of class you select and your reasons for studying Tableau. Skills classes are typically the shortest in duration; most can be completed in several hours over a day or two. These short courses are offered by many educators and allow learners to select beginner, intermediate, or advanced training. Instruction is provided in-person or live online on a range of level-appropriate data visualization skills. Not only are these classes short in length, but they are typically less expensive than bootcamps or certificates. Skills classes generally cost several hundred dollars. Students can choose whether to complete one skills course or may wish to enroll in all three skill levels (which can sometimes be combined into a bootcamp) for a reduced price.

Bootcamp study is typically longer than skills courses. Bootcamps usually span several days and can take a dozen or more hours to complete. These courses offer career training for individuals interested in pursuing a career that involves visualizing data or who wish to advance in their current data-related job. In addition to hands-on training in the in-person or live online format, bootcamps also often include additional perks, such as the option of a free course retake for up to a year, supplementary training or video content, and professional development.

Certificate programs are generally the longest and most intensive way to learn Tableau. Unlike skills courses, which focus exclusively on Tableau, certificate programs often combine Tableau training with other data analytics and data visualization tools, such as Python, SQL, and Excel. A data analytics certificate typically provides rigorous training in the skills needed to help you pursue a data-related career. Those enrolled spend between 30 and 160 hours on certificate programs, depending on the provider. Instruction is available in-person and live online using a teleconferencing platform like Zoom. Most certificates allow students to select between part-time study or full-time coursework, depending on their schedules. These programs take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete. They usually cost several thousand dollars. Along with live instruction, certificates often include additional incentives, such as one-on-one mentoring, professional development, and access to supplementary training materials.

Different Courses with Different Schedules

Like any skill you wish to acquire, the delivery method of coursework will affect how long it takes to learn Tableau and the depth of instruction you’ll get. In-person and live online skills courses are generally the shortest and cover beginner, intermediate, or advanced-level Tableau skills in just a few hours. Bootcamps are available in-person and live online and allow students to progress from introductory-level training into more advanced Tableau skills over the course of several days. Certificate study typically takes several weeks or months to complete and offers comprehensive career training in Tableau alongside other data analytics and visualization tools and skills. 

In-Person & Online Classes

Many educational providers who offer Tableau coursework offer students the option of selecting whether they wish to complete their study in person or online. Skills courses, bootcamps, and certificate programs are available in both in-person and live online formats. Typically, live online study requires the same amount of time to complete as in-person classes. Both learning formats take place in real time, which means a live instructor is leading the class discussion and facilitating learning activities. Although in-person study requires commuting to and from class for each meeting, it allows students to connect with other learners interested in data visualization, which can be a great opportunity for networking. On the other hand, live online coursework can be completed remotely from any location with a strong internet connection. Both learning formats allow students to ask questions in real-time and receive immediate feedback and support. 

Synchronous & Asynchronous Classes

Another important choice you’ll need to make before enrolling in Tableau coursework is whether you’d like to study this software synchronously or asynchronously. Synchronous training takes place in real time and is led by an instructor. Skills classes, bootcamps, and certificates are all available in the synchronous format. This training option is excellent for extroverted learners. It allows students to connect with other students in real-time, receive guidance and support from the instructor as needed, and study Tableau in an interactive format. 

Asynchronous Tableau training material is pre-recorded. Those who wish to study through self-paced material can do so from any location at any time. They can also choose the speed at which they study, pausing and rewinding as often as necessary to learn the skills they encounter. Unlike synchronous coursework, no instructor is available to answer questions. This can make learning complicated data visualization concepts challenging for some learners because it requires searching for answers independently. For this reason, asynchronous Tableau training material is best suited for self-motivated learners who can learn independently.

Because so much self-paced content is available on Tableau, the length of study required varies significantly. Some YouTube videos focus on one specific Tableau skill, such as using geographic data to make maps, whereas other content is broader in scope and provides a comprehensive overview of the Tableau interface and how to work with this tool. Asynchronous training materials may be as short as several minutes long or span several hours. When selecting self-paced content, choosing coursework from a reputable provider is important to ensure it reflects the most current version of Tableau. It’s also essential to select materials that are at the appropriate learning level. 

Tableau training is a good starting point for those interested in learning basic data visualization concepts as well as acclimating to the Tableau interface. However, for professionals looking to study Tableau’s more advanced features, self-paced content may not provide enough structure to truly master this tool. Eventually, more structured coursework in real-time may be needed, such as bootcamps or certificate programs. 

Career-Focused & Skills-Focused Classes

If you’re trying to decide what type of Tableau course is best for you, skills-focused coursework is available, as is career-focused classwork. Skills-focused Tableau courses are available at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. These courses are typically relatively short in duration and can be completed in several hours over the course of a day or two. They’re also a more affordable learning option than bootcamps or certificate programs and generally cost several hundred dollars. Many providers offer skills classes in Tableau that provide training in a range of skills, like creating graphs and dashboards, working with parameters, and forecasting. Some also offer incentives for learners who wish to enroll in multiple skills classes and provide reduced tuition for bundling various levels of coursework. Skills courses are available in-person and online.

Career-focused Tableau training is intended for those who currently hold a data-related job and want to expand their data visualization skills, as well as for those interested in pursuing a career as a Data Analyst or Data Scientist. Bootcamp study typically takes several days of full-time coursework to complete and takes participants from Tableau basics into more advanced content. Tableau bootcamps are also offered in the in-person and virtual formats. A bootcamp usually costs more than skills coursework because they provide more extensive Tableau training. 

The most rigorous form of career-focused Tableau training is certificate study. Instead of focusing only on Tableau, certificate programs in data analytics generally teach this software alongside other tools and skills, such as SQL, Python, and Excel. Certificate study can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete, depending on the program’s requirements. Often, full-time and part-time study options are available in the in-person and live online format. Although certificates cost several thousand dollars or more, along with this tuition comes additional educational and professional benefits, such as one-on-one mentoring, supplementary training materials and video content, resume development, job coaching, or career support. 

Introductory Classes & Immersive Courses 

Selecting a Tableau course at the appropriate learning level is another key consideration for prospective students. Beginner-friendly skills classes are a great place to start if you’re new to data visualization or have limited experience working with Tableau. In just a few hours, you can learn to gather data, work the Tableau interface, and create basic data visualizations to print or share. Introductory-level coursework is available in-person and live online from many educators. Synchronous beginner-friendly content typically costs several hundred dollars. Asynchronous Tableau training material is generally even less expensive; some is even provided for free. 

For those interested in comprehensive Tableau study, more immersive training options are also available. Most Tableau bootcamps take several full days to complete. Some training centers allow students to combine three skills classes into one bootcamp that takes participants from Tableau beginners into intermediate and advanced learners. Instead of having to pay full price for each course, some providers offer a discount for those who enroll in all three. Certificate programs are also available for those who want to learn Tableau for professional advancement or to pursue a new career. Certificates are the most expensive learning option, as well as the longest. Most cost several thousand dollars and range in duration from weeks to months. They prepare participants to work with advanced Tableau data visualization concepts and provide instruction on other data analytics skills and tools, such as Python programming and Excel spreadsheets.

Learn Tableau Skills with Noble Desktop

For those new to Tableau, Noble Desktop’s Tableau Bootcamp teaches students the fundamental components of data visualization. Participants explore Tableau Public’s tools to connect to datasets, analyze, filter, and structure data to create visualizations. Noble’s Data Analytics Certificate provides in-depth Python, SQL, and Excel training. Expert instructors ensure those enrolled receive training to become Data Analysts or Business Analysts. One-on-one mentoring is provided for all students.

In addition, if you’re interested in exploring Tableau on your own, Noble’s Tableau Resources page has more than 50 articles to help you learn more about this powerful data visualization tool.

Key Takeaways

• If you’re interested in learning Tableau, a variety of training formats are available that range in length. Skills courses generally take a few hours to complete; bootcamps require a few days of study; and certificate programs span weeks or months and offer rigorous training in a range of data analytics tools and skills besides just Tableau.
• For professionals interested in acquiring Tableau skills for work-related reasons, career-focused classes like bootcamps or certificates are an excellent option. In addition to hands-on training from industry experts, these programs often include additional educational resources like career development, one-on-one mentoring, and guidance on the job search.
• If you want to study Tableau on your own time, asynchronous content is a good starting point. However, since no instructor is available, it can be challenging to acquire advanced Tableau skills in this format.
• For those who want to learn more about how Tableau can be used to create stunning data visualizations, Noble Desktop can help. Noble provides several hands-on Tableau courses that offer comprehensive in-person or live online training.