Tableau is the fastest-growing platform for visual analytics available 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. Even non-technical Tableau users can create customized dashboards and worksheets with the help of this versatile tool. It’s relied on by teachers, students, Data Scientists, Analysts, executives, and business owners for their end-to-end analytics needs. For these reasons, Tableau is considered to be the leading analytics platform for business intelligence.
In 2003, Tableau was created as a way to improve analysis flow and use visualizations to make data more accessible. This value continues to inform Tableau’s evolution. Currently, Tableau offers a complete and integrated platform for data analytics. It provides its users with the necessary resources to help them thrive in a data-driven culture. Some of Tableau’s most remarkable features include its capacity for data blending, real-time analysis, and data collaboration. Because Tableau does not require programming skills or technical expertise to operate, users of all backgrounds can easily work with this software. It can be installed directly onto one’s hardware from a web download and be operational in just twenty minutes.
Tableau’s dynamic software makes the process of using data to both ask and answer questions an intuitive one. The visuals that drive analysis allow users to continue to ask “Why?” even when this question grows in scope or complexity. In addition, sharing these visual results within a company, organization, or business can lead to more informed decision-making, greater collaboration, and more successful business outcomes.
This article will explore three of Tableau’s most-used features: its workbooks, dashboards, and stories.
What is a Tableau Workbook?
Tableau workbooks function similarly to a Microsoft Excel file. Workbooks are made up of a series of sheets, which could be dashboards, stories, or worksheets.
When using workbooks, users can clear prior sheets, make new ones, duplicate or delete sheets, and even elect to hide or display a sheet. Tableau provides a variety of options for organizing and viewing workbooks.
Main Uses for a Tableau Workbook
Workbooks in Tableau have many uses:
- Tableau workbooks are useful in situations in which it is helpful to include a variety of types of relevant external information, such as local resources, custom geocoding, and pertinent background images.
- Workbooks can reference local file data sources like Access files, Tableau extract files, and Excel files.
- Packaged workbooks include the workbook, as well as a copy of all background images and local file data sources.
What is a Tableau Dashboard?
Tableau dashboards are made up of multiple worksheets, each with a chart. These sheets are displayed together in one dashboard so that viewers can simultaneously compare and contrast different data. For those who have a set of views they must evaluate each day, dashboards can be created to depict every view in one place so that users do not have to revert to separate worksheets for information.
Tabs at the bottom of a workbook allow Tableau users to access dashboards. The information in sheets and dashboards is connected, which means that any change to a sheet will affect the dashboard, and any dashboard change will be reflected in the sheets. In addition, dashboards update automatically with the most relevant and timely available data.
There are several dashboard functions that help users to more clearly present information. Filter actions help eliminate unnecessary data being displayed on a dashboard so that the audience can focus on the most pertinent insights. Actions can also be highlighted on dashboards to direct attention to certain marks and to dim others. In addition, hyperlinks to browsers can be incorporated into Tableau dashboards in instances when it’s important for users to see additional information beyond that which is hosted outside of Tableau.
Main Uses for a Tableau Dashboard
Dashboards in Tableau are particularly useful in situations when it’s important for the audience to receive information in a single view so that the insights displayed in one view are not lost when moving on to another image:
- Dashboards are useful in instances when the user has a clear idea of what they are wishing to say and the conclusions they want to present to their target audience.
- In instances when audience engagement would help to better convey information, dashboards can add interactive elements to their dashboards by incorporating Actions into them. Actions are designed to provide users with an interactive viewing experience, which can help them to quickly process and better remember the insights being presented.
- Dashboards are also helpful for users who have highlights or filters that run through several charts.
What is a Tableau Story?
Stories in Tableau are made up of a set of dashboards or worksheets that are intended to work in concert to provide information. Stories are also known as sheets in Tableau.
Those who decide to publish a workbook to Tableau Online, Tableau Public, or Tableau Server share it with a larger community. Other community members are able to interact with the story to extract relevant insights, as well as to pose new driving questions for further inquiry.
Each story point can be based on a different view or dashboard, or the entire story can be based on the same visualization seen at different stages, with different filters and annotations. Tableau users can then publish a story to the web, or present it to an audience.
Main Uses for a Tableau Story
Stories in Tableau serve many functions. They can:
- Indicate how facts are connected to one another
- Provide visual evidence for how a decision can lead to an outcome
- Offer context
- Tell a narrative
- Present a case based on data
Because Tableau makes it easy to tell visual stories through workbooks and dashboards, it is one of the leading visualization platforms in the world. The Tableau product suite is used by many companies, like Skype, Wells Fargo, Nike, and Coca-Cola. In fact, thousands of companies and organizations use Tableau for their data analytic and visualization needs.
Hands-On Tableau & Data Visualization Classes
Are you interested in learning more about how to create your own Tableau workbooks, dashboards, stories? If so, Noble Desktop offers a variety of Tableau classes that are designed to prepare students to work with this industry-standard data visualization software. In addition, 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.
If you want to learn how to create your own stunning data visualizations, such as charts, maps, and graphics, Noble Desktop’s Data Visualization Classes Near Me tool makes it easy to locate and learn more about over 200 courses currently offered in the in-person and live online formats. Class lengths vary from three hours to five months and cost from $119 to $12,995.