How to Learn Tableau Online

If you’re just starting to learn a new skill, dozens of tips and resources are available online to help you with your journey. Learning Tableau is no different. Tableau is one of the most widely-used tools for data analysis, visualization, and business intelligence currently available. Those with Tableau training can create data stories, visualizations, dashboards, and workbooks, which can then be published and shared with others. If you’ve always wanted to learn Tableau, there are plenty of options at your fingertips. From free tutorials to live classes, your options are outlined here so you can decide how to learn in the way that works best for you.

What is Tableau?

Tableau is a data visualization tool used for data analytics and business intelligence. It was designed to help individuals and organizations make better data-driven solutions. This software can simplify raw data into an accessible dashboard format that incorporates visual depictions of raw data from datasets, which can then be understood by various professionals working within a company, regardless of whether they come from a technical background. One of the main benefits of working with Tableau is that it performs fast data analysis and can create stunning visualizations based on data findings.

Tableau provides users with many helpful data analysis and visualization features, such as real-time analysis, data blending, and collaboration capabilities. It allows Data Analysts to manipulate live datasets and devote their efforts more to analysis rather than data wrangling. In addition, Tableau doesn’t require programming or technical skills, making it an accessible, effective tool for data analytics.

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

What Can You Do with Tableau?

Tableau has a variety of professional uses. Ultimately, the more you know about Tableau, the more data-driven insights you can bring to your organization. Tableau can bring together various data sources into a single point of truth. For example, suppose you’re working with data in Microsoft Access and Excel, as well as in SQL databases and cloud-based applications such as Salesforce. In that case, Tableau can help you bring these data together with just a few mouse clicks. This provides one central source that can be used for all types of business reporting and doesn’t require you to have any coding knowledge to set up. 

Tableau also provides a way to efficiently perform ETL operations (extract, transform and load). With the help of Tableau’s automated data reshaper tool, you can transform any data you want to use into the necessary format by splitting fields, eliminating header and white space, and changing data formats. Instead of spending a whole day extracting, transforming, and loading data using apps such as Excel, you can do it in just seconds in Tableau. In addition, Tableau’s automated reporting feature allows you to easily create a report, then set it to focus on a specific dataset so that the data will automatically refresh without requiring any coding know-how or additional time commitment.

One of Tableau’s most remarkable features is its visualization capabilities. Even for those new to visually presenting data insights, Tableau comes with built-in best practices to help you present information clearly, effectively, and engagingly. This helps ensure that data is delivered to internal and external stakeholders through eye-catching and informative reports.

Live Online Tableau Training

Live online Tableau study is a great alternative to in-person coursework. Like in the classroom, live online Tableau courses allow you to connect with an expert instructor in real-time so that they can answer your questions before moving on to new concepts. Because classes can be completed from any location, such as your home, office, or even a local coffee shop, you don’t have to waste time commuting in rush-hour traffic or searching for parking each night. However, one drawback to studying in an online environment is that you must still be able to meet for regularly scheduled classes, which may mean taking off work.

If you are interested in searching for live online Tableau classes, Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool can help with this search. Beginner-friendly courses are listed for those new to using Tableau, such as NYIM Training’s Tableau Level 1, Ledet Training’s Tableau 101, and Certstaffix Training’s Tableau Desktop: Basic. If you already have experience creating data visualizations but want to learn more advanced Tableau functions, courses like Ledet Training’s Tableau Bootcamp or General Assembly’s Design Your Data: Tableau Bootcamp both provide industry-relevant instruction on data analysis and visualization. 

On-Demand Tableau Classes

Another popular type of Tableau training is on-demand study. Unlike traditional courses that meet in a classroom or live online classes that occur at regularly scheduled intervals and are led by an instructor in real-time, on-demand study takes place online. These courses generally consist of pre-recorded video content, tutorials, and modules. For beginners seeking an overview of Tableau, on-demand training can help you get a feel for this tool, as well as decide if you are interested in studying it further. These courses are often a cost-effective option since they tend to cost much less than live online or in-person study; some asynchronous Tableau classes are even free. 

However, there are several drawbacks to on-demand Tableau study. Because learners complete lessons independently, they do not have access to an instructor to answer questions. This can make it challenging to learn advanced Tableau features or functions.The sheer number of online asynchronous courses currently offered in data visualization can make it difficult to determine which course is the best match for you and which course offers correct information. Finally, because all on-demand study is self-paced, you must be a disciplined and self-motivated learner to thrive in this learning environment. 

If you are considering on-demand Tableau classes to help you learn the basics about working with this tool, courses are currently offered in topics such as data visualization, Tableau Desktop, using Tableau for data science, and creating interactive Tableau dashboards.

Free Intro Courses & Tutorials

Not ready to dive into a full Tableau course? Instead of committing to a rigorous bootcamp or certificate in data visualization, you may just want an overview of Tableau. If this sounds like you, the good news is that you can start learning Tableau for free online. Noble Desktop offers some excellent free online Tableau tutorials and resources that can help Tableau novices, along with more seasoned Tableau users, learn more about this popular application. Articles are available on topics like how to install Tableau Public, working with Colors in Tableau, and Creating Maps in Tableau. 

In addition to Noble Desktop’s free Tableau resources, other top educational providers also offer free, beginner-level Tableau instruction. Udemy’s free Tableau Tutorial for Beginners provides nearly two-and-a-half hours of instruction on core Tableau skills, such as joining multiple datasets, writing powerful calculations, and performing visual analytics. Coursera’s Data Visualization and Communication with Tableau teaches students how to communicate business-relevant insights in a manner accessible to audiences from non-technical backgrounds. 

Read about more free Tableau videos and online tutorials. 

Comparing Online Methods with In-Person Learning 

If you’re interested in learning Tableau, several training formats are available to help you study this versatile tool. Coursework is available in Tableau in in-person, live online, and asynchronous online environments, making it easier to find the learning style most suited to your professional needs.

For extroverted learners who thrive in the hands-on classroom learning environment, in-person study is a good option. This traditional form of learning Tableau allows you to connect with an expert instructor and a cohort of classmates who are all learning alongside you. Because you have access to the instructor, you can have your questions answered and receive guidance as new data concepts are introduced. 

Recent educational studies have explored whether classroom study is more effective than online classwork; in 2021, nearly two-thirds of students felt that they learn more in the traditional classroom environment. Another perk of in-person study is that the classroom’s computers already have Tableau installed, which can help streamline the learning process. However, one drawback to consider of in-person classes is that it requires a regular time commitment for scheduled class meetings, in addition to the time it will take to commute to and from class.

For those who still want to connect with a live instructor but don’t want to battle rush-hour traffic to meet with them in person, live online Tableau courses are a popular learning option. Live online study options still cover the same core Tableau concepts and skills and provide the same quality of training. Like in the classroom, you can ask questions in real-time and receive live answers. Unlike in-person study, however, you can work from the comfort of your own home or office space.

A third option for learning Tableau is to study this tool online in the on-demand format. This option tends to be the most affordable of the Tableau study options available. Some educators even offer free Tableau tutorials and introductory-level videos to help you begin your studies. Unlike live online classes, which meet at regularly scheduled intervals, asynchronous Tableau study is completed on your own, at your own speed. Course material is typically pre-recorded in videos and often includes articles, tutorials, and modules. 

One benefit to this form of study is that you can devote as much or as little time to a particular Tableau concept before moving on to the next one. However, one potential drawback to be mindful of is that you will not have access to an instructor to answer questions. That’s why on-demand study is more effective for those seeking an overview of Tableau versus mastery of its advanced functions. 

Tips to Succeed when Learning Tableau Online

Studying in the online environment is rewarding, but it can also present challenges. The following are some tips that can help you succeed in your online Tableau study:

• Learning any skill in the online setting requires time and self-discipline. You will need to select a course of study, tutorial, or video that is up-to-date on the newest Tableau version and features and ensure that the content comes from a reputable source. In addition, since you may not have access to an instructor to answer questions, you will have to find other avenues to receive support learning Tableau.
• Tableau has a robust online community, with more than 450 user groups and nearly 200k questions on its discussion boards. It provides an excellent resource for those who want to connect or collaborate with other Tableau users, explore product ideas or e-learning options, or seek guidance on your work. If you are interested in studying Tableau online, this community can connect you with others who are also learning this skill.
• One of the main features of Tableau Public is that authors share their workbooks online. Currently, there are more than three million interactive data visualizations on Tableau Public from around the globe. This makes it a rich resource for those who want to see how others transform numbers into stunning visual displays. The more you can familiarize yourself with the different visualizations being created, the more you will understand the many creative opportunities at your fingertips when working with Tableau.
• Practicing with Tableau is essential for helping users at all levels perfect their data visualization skills and stay current on Tableau best practices. If you elect to learn Tableau online, you will need to find ways to practice with this tool. One option is to explore free practice datasets available on community forums to gain valuable experience. 
• Another great option for those learning Tableau online is to participate in Makeover Monday. Each Monday, Tableau masters Eva Murray and Andy Kriebel run a challenge in which a new dataset is posted. Anyone who wishes to work on the data and submit an online visualization of it can do so. You can submit the visualization online or post it on Twitter using the hashtag #MakeoverMonday. This provides a great learning opportunity that can inspire Tableau novices to make more effective, engaging visualizations. 
• Similar to Makeover Monday, another opportunity to practice Tableau skills online is Workout Wednesday. This weekly challenge is posted each Wednesday, and anyone who wishes to participate can recreate the data visualization using their Tableau skills and creative vision for the data.

Learn Tableau with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides several great Tableau learning opportunities. For those new to Tableau, Noble’s Tableau Level 1 covers core Tableau tools and skills, such as creating various charts and data visualizations. Students receive an introduction to Tableau Public, a free version of Tableau, and learn how to create and edit graphs and charts.

In addition, Noble’s Tableau Bootcamp is a program that teaches students the fundamental components of data visualization. Those enrolled explore Tableau Public’s different tools to connect to datasets, analyze, filter, and structure the data to make visualizations. By course completion, students will know how to customize, manipulate, and publish various data visualizations. This class comes with the option of a free retake for students who wish to revisit course material.

For those seeking a more rigorous learning environment for learning Tableau, Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is a great option. In addition to providing hands-on training with Tableau in the small classroom environment, those enrolled in this certificate study also gain industry-relevant training with other data analytic skills, languages, and programs, such as SQL, Excel, and Python. Expert instructors ensure that those enrolled receive training to become Data Analysts or Business Analysts. One-on-one mentoring is provided for all students.

In addition, for those interested in learning more about Tableau, Noble’s Tableau Resources page has more than 50 articles to help you learn more about this powerful data visualization tool.

Key Insights

• Tableau was created to help individuals and organizations visualize and analyze data to make more informed data-driven solutions. 
• Many helpful resources are available if you are interested in learning Tableau online. You can choose from live online courses, on-demand Tableau classes, or free tutorials and videos that can present a basic overview of this tool.
• When studying Tableau online, you may consider finding support from resources such as Tableau’s online community or completing weekly data visualization challenges such as Makeover Monday or Workout Wednesday.
• For those who want to take their learning to the next level, Noble Desktop offers a variety of live online and in-person courses in Tableau and data analytics that can provide you with the learning support you need to excel with Tableau.