How to Learn Tableau: Training Options, Step-by-Step Guide, and More

When it comes to learning Tableau, one of the best data visualization tools on the market, you’ll find countless options online. But not all will provide you with the information you need to move on to a career in data science. 

That’s why we have sorted through the Tableau training courses and resources out there to recommend the very best. This guide will cover all the basics of how you should go about learning this data visualization tool to make sure you’re prepared to reach your goals.

What Is Tableau? 

Tableau is a data visualization tool that breaks down and displays large volumes of data in a way that is easy for the viewer to understand. It utilizes interactive visual aesthetics such as colors, labels, and dimensions to provide businesses with insightful, comprehensible information.

The software allows for real-time data analysis from a variety of sources at a very fast speed. The visual analytics tool is helping businesses and other organizations become more data-driven. It reduces the need for a data analyst to manually interpret and present findings from datasets. 

The data analytics platform has multiple features that make it more user friendly, including Tableau Server, Tableau Reader, Tableau Public, Tableau Desktop, and Tableau Online.

What Is Tableau Used For? 

Tableau is used to extract datasets from databases. It’s a very efficient tool for gathering business intelligence based on big data. With competition increasing in many industries, business owners are looking for ways to optimize their strategies. To do this, it is essential that they adopt new measures based on data that they have collected. That’s where Tableau comes in. 

Below are some of the main uses of Tableau. 

Aesthetic Visualizations

Tableau prides itself on generating the best data visualizations. The software can convert statistical information into logical charts and graphs that are aesthetically pleasing. Large datasets are condensed into a straightforward format that business owners and managers can understand. 

Importing Data

The tool is also reliable when it comes to importing data from outside sources. It supports connections with other data storage programs such as SAP, Hadoop, and DB. 

Tableau can also access various live data sources simultaneously. Then, it can easily develop data visualizations without affecting the performance of any of the programs. 

Managing Data

Through Tableau, you can easily manage large data sets. Its dashboard has a drag-and-drop function for simple customization so that anyone can use it to organize their information.

Generating Reports

Tableau also has the ability to combine data to create reports that can be used to inform business decisions. With the software, you can easily find and display data that a client has requested.

Learn Tableau: Step-by-Step 

Learning Tableau is simple if you follow the steps below. Even if you don’t have a background in data analysis, you’ll be creating charts, maps, matrix reports, and dashboards in no time. 

1. Download and Install the Software

Of the five main Tableau products, Tableau Reader and Tableau Public are available for free. Tableau Server and Tableau Desktop are available on a 14-day free trial. Tableau Online is intended for businesses as it can support more than 1,000 users. It’s available with an annual subscription.

2. Attend Training and Classes

There are plenty of training options available for learning Tableau. These include free and paid courses, most of which are taught online. Joining one of these will help you get more familiar with the software in a formal setting. By learning from data professionals, you can also be sure that you are getting the most out of the program.

3. Join the Tableau Community

This community is essential if you want to keep up with Tableau developments and get ideas for how to use it from experienced users. This is also the forum where new Tableau features are first revealed.

4. Practice

The more you use this data visualization tool, the better you will become at understanding data. Try generating different interfaces with a certain data set to test your skills and creativity. This is a great way to discover new tricks on the platform and reinforce your existing knowledge. 

The Best Tableau Courses and Certifications

Enrolling in a Tableau course will allow you to use the platform with confidence. The courses and training programs below will teach you the fundamentals, special features, and best practices of Tableau. By taking one or two, you’ll feel like a data visualization expert.

Data Visualization with Tableau Specialization

This University of California program is a good way to learn Tableau thoroughly. The 22-week course offered via Coursera will teach you how to navigate all the features of the software.

It also covers how to evaluate the quality of the data you’re analyzing and how to conduct data exploration. In addition, the instructor will teach you to design visualizations and use the dashboard effectively. For a fee, you can receive a certificate of completion.

Hands-On Tableau Training for Data Science

This Udemy course is intended for beginner or intermediate data scientists. The instructor will cover a variety of Tableau topics. You will learn how to create bar charts, pie charts, maps, interactive dashboards, table calculations, dual-axis charts, and more. This class is a good choice if you are curious about advanced data preparation methods.

Data Visualization and Communication with Tableau

In this Duke University program offered via Coursera, you will learn how to communicate data projections, and how to structure your data analysis. When you finish the course, you will know how to organize and present data stories using visualizations.

Free Tableau Training Videos

The official Tableau website is packed with materials you can use to learn about all aspects of their platform. You can check out the FAQ section, or browse through a plethora of videos to find one related to whatever specific Tableau skill you’re working on. 

Up and Running with Tableau Desktop

This is a beginners’ course by Udemy that will help you get started with Tableau. It will teach you how to create professional reports and build dashboards in Tableau Desktop. You will also learn how experts in a variety of industries use Tableau to gather intelligence. 

The instructor is a professional who has extensive experience in developing Tableau. He will go over best practices, and will show you how to explore unique datasets and transform raw data. 

Tableau 10 Essential Training

In this particular LinkedIn Learning training, you will learn how to analyze and display information on Tableau Desktop. By the time you have completed the coursework, you will know how to install Tableau, connect it to different data sources, and create, manipulate, and share data.

Tableau 2019 and Tableau 2018: Tableau Desk Specialist Certification

Udemy offers this course of more than 80 lectures, eight downloadable reading materials, and 13 prep articles with lifetime access.

The coursework will teach you how to use context filters, date filters, reference lines, and blending. It will give you a comprehensive understanding of the platform through hands-on experience creating insightful visualizations. 

Tableau Training Certification

You will leave this 25-hour program by Mind Majix knowing how to transform raw data into shareable dashboards using Tableau. The lessons are based on real-world scenarios, and will walk you through how to generate advanced data visualizations.

Tableau Tutorial

Through this Tableau Tutorial by Tutorials Point, you will learn how to create and understand business intelligence reports. It’s a good idea to sign up for this if you are an aspiring data scientist or data analyst.

To take this course, you must have a background in computer programming, including a basic understanding of SQL.

Creating Interactive Tableau Dashboards

Reading data can be challenging, and with Tableau, it is useful to be able to interpret data and reports in order to make sound business decisions.

To help you learn this skill, this Lynda course covers the core principles of constructing a dashboard in Tableau, and how to operate it. Before taking this course, you should already have some knowledge of the software.

Is Learning Tableau Right for You? 

Learning Tableau is a good idea if your work involves any kind of data. The software is an efficient tool for quick data analysis. It provides credible insights that can have a significant impact on a business.

Tableau makes exploring and analyzing data easy. This simplicity is one reason that the software has become so popular for data analytics. You don’t need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or data mining to get the results you want with Tableau. 

Mastering Tableau is an easy process, and having this knowledge can be beneficial to your career. The software is used for decision-making in a wide variety of industries, from health care to marketing, so it’s highly likely that your knowledge of Tableau will come in handy.