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. 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.
There are currently eight kinds of Tableau available with different features, capabilities, and price points: Tableau Server, Tableau Online, Tableau Public Server, Tableau Desktop, Tableau Public Desktop, Tableau Mobile, Tableau Prep Builder, and Tableau Reader. This article will take a closer look at Tableau Reader and some of the benefits of working with this tool.
What is Tableau Reader?
Tableau Reader isa desktop application that can open and interact with extracted sources of data and packaged workbooks that were made in Tableau Desktop. Tableau Reader was created in Tableau’s early days. It was designed so that Content Creators and Data Analysts could share the content they created in Tableau Desktop. At this time, Tableau Server wasn’t available to organizations, which meant it wasn’t an option that could be used to share content; using Tableau Reader was the only way content could be shared across an organization whose members did not have access to Tableau Desktop.
Tableau Reader is able to open dashboards and facilitate interaction with them, but does not allow users to edit formulas or charts. This application does not have the security or governance features, or the administration capabilities, that are required for critical production deployments within Tableau. Those working with Tableau Reader are able to access and make changes to local workbooks only. While these limitations mean that this product isn’t perfect for all users, such as those who need to deploy analytics at scale for an entire organization, it’s a good option for other types of projects, such as proof-of-concept work.
In order to make a workbook portable so that it can be used in Tableau Reader, Tableau Desktop saves a snapshot of the data with the workbook and gives it the file extension .twbx. This file can then be opened on any device that has either Tableau Desktop or Tableau Reader installed on it. In addition, Tableau Reader can also save .twbx files to a shared network drive without the need for a database.
Tableau Reader users are able to read file types using this product. Those who are working on collaborative projects and wish to share their workbook can do so by sending a file. The receiver must have a Tableau Reader to open the document. In instances where the recipient does not have Tableau Reader, the sender can still share the file, but must do so by converting the workbook into a PDF or electing to share it publicly.
Tableau Reader users can perform the following actions using this app:
- Print views
- Open Tableau workbooks and interact with the content
- Publish views in the form of PDFs
- Create a slideshow of views for presentations
- Export views
In terms of pricing, Tableau Reader is free to download but those who are using it instead of Tableau Server must pay for deploying and maintaining it. In addition, anyone interested in using Tableau Reader should also be aware of the possibility of costly compliance issues that could arise due to this product’s lack of governance. Those deploying Tableau Reader must have source files that can be shared or locally accessed. This means that the IT department of your business will not have oversight of where the files head or any record of their use when working with this app. However, Tableau does offer role-based server licenses that are designed to help those in IT participate in production deployment and cut down on the hidden costs or risk factors of attempting to deploy Tableau Reader at scale.
Why use Tableau Reader?
The following are several benefits of working with Tableau Reader:
- Users don’t need to uninstall their prior version of Tableau Reader when upgrading. That means that Tableau Reader 9.0 and 10.0 can both be installed on the same computer without causing any problems.
- It is free to download.
- For those who are new to creating data visualizations and also new to the workings of the Tableau suite, Tableau Reader provides a straightforward way to view a data visualization. Although editing is not possible in Tableau Reader, those who simply wish to share visualizations or view them can do so with this tool.
- Tableau Reader is able to open dashboards and perform actions such as tooltip and filtering.
- It provides a good option for those who may be reluctant to invest in Tableau Server. It’s a good first-step product for organizations that are getting their feet wet in the data analytics world.
- When compared to Tableau Public, Tableau reader provides a more private data analytics experience. This makes it a good option for users who have sensitive or proprietary data in their visualizations. Publishing to Tableau Reader is more secure than doing so in Tableau Public’s community forum.
- It is a helpful resource for Data Analysts and Business Analysts who are already working with Tableau Desktop to gain a footing and initial momentum as they work to create interactive dashboards.
- Maintenance upgrades of Tableau Reader overwrite prior installations of the same existing major version. This means that Tableau Reader 9.3.4 would overwrite version 9.3.0.
- It’s available for both Macs and PCs.
- Like Tableau’s other products, Tableau Reader is unicode-enabled and is compatible with data stored in any language.
- The Tableau Reader interface and its supporting documentation is available in a variety of languages: German, French, Italian, English, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish, traditional Chinese, simplified Chinese, and Korean.
Although Tableau Reader isn’t the best choice for all Data Analysts, this product has many applications for those working on projects such as proof-of-concept work, as well as those who wish to simply view dashboards and data visualizations.
Hands-On Tableau Classes
Do you want to learn how to create stunning and engaging data visualizations, maps, charts, and graphs using the fastest-growing visualization platform on the market? If so, 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. Tableau 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.