What is the Best Course to Learn Tableau?

The best course for learning Tableau is the course that meets your learning needs. Learning a new skill comes with a variety of learning methods, and learning Tableau is no different. Your level of prior experience, your budget, how much time you have, your learning goals, and the course modality you prefer all work together to influence the best type of Tableau course for you. This article will explore these factors you should consider when deciding between Tableau classes to help you decide what works best for you. 

Are You Brand New to Data Visualization?

First, you must consider your prior experience with data visualization. Some students entering a Tableau class have experience with Excel, Power BI, or another data visualization tool, while others have no prior knowledge of the topic. You should consider how comfortable you are with your knowledge of not just Tableau when choosing a class, but data visualization. Introductory classes often cover the basics of data visualization before diving into using Tableau. If you already have knowledge of this and have a working knowledge of other data visualization tools, you may feel comfortable covering the basics of Tableau on your own and then enrolling in an intermediate-level class. 

Students with no prior knowledge of data visualization or experience working with Tableau need to enroll in an introductory Tableau course or bootcamp. An introductory course begins with basic concepts and helps students become familiar with Tableau’s interface before transitioning to hands-on learning. 

How Much Are You Willing to Pay?

Consider your budget before enrolling in a Tableau training program. If you expect to gain professional-level skills and an expert understanding of data analysis, you’ll likely benefit from a more intensive course, which can cost quite a bit. Short, one to two-day classes often cost anywhere from $300 to $800, but more immersive courses can cost several thousand dollars if not more. If your budget does not allow for this kind of spending, you can turn to the internet to learn basic Tableau skills before turning toward a shorter course, or you can consider a certificate course, which often costs more than an introductory course but less than an immersive program, while still covering beginner to advanced-level topics and skills. 

On-demand classes provide an affordable way to learn the basics of Tableau and gain hands-on experience. On-demand introductory classes typically cost less than in-person or live online introductory classes. This is because you’re trading off a live instructor for a more flexible form of learning. Students enrolled in an on-demand class have access to course materials, like video lectures and reading assignments, and guide themselves through the class. Some students find on-demand classes difficult to keep up with, so it’s important to consider your level of motivation and the time you have to teach yourself a new skill if you want this more affordable learning option. 

You can also learn Tableau for free. Professionals upload introductory Tableau tutorials and troubleshooting guides to YouTube and other video hosting platforms for free to help students learn the basics of Tableau. Training schools, like Noble Desktop, also offer short videos and samples of classes to help you decide if learning Tableau is right for you. Like on-demand classes, the lack of an instructor is a major drawback of learning Tableau online for free. This method also requires you to research reputable sources that match your learning style. 

How Quickly Do You Need to Learn New Skills?

Everyone varies in the time it takes them to learn new skills. This will greatly impact how you learn Tableau, especially if you have no prior experience. If it takes you a while to learn a new skill because of a lack of time to devote to studying outside of class, you may want to enroll in a part-time training program. Part-time programs spread lessons over several days, weeks, or months to make content more digestible and work with students’ busy schedules. Many part-time programs schedule lessons for the weekends or evenings, allowing students to fit them into their free time. 

If you learn quickly and prefer fast-paced classes, enroll in a full-time Tableau program. Full-time programs help students learn quickly and may also include access to supplemental material that you can access during and after the program. Full-time programs marketed as accelerated programs also often offer pre-course modules that cover basic information about Tableau and related skills to help students acclimate to the fast-paced course. Full-time and part-time courses usually cost the same despite the differing lengths; however, even though a full-time course is shorter than a part-time course, full-time courses can still take a considerable amount of time to complete. 

Do You Want to Become a Data Science Professional?

When data needs analyzing, companies turn to Tableau. It doesn’t matter what the industry is, Tableau has become a favored software for data visualization. You may use Tableau as an Analyst or in a role where the use of Tableau is less expected. Regardless, if you plan on pursuing a career that turns to data to make decisions, learning Tableau provides a real benefit. The career you pursue, however, will impact how much Tableau training you need. 

If you want to learn Tableau to help you complete a work project or personal project, an introductory class or bootcamp will fulfill your needs. However, individuals looking to begin a career as a data science professional will need more training in Tableau. Data Analysts and even Data Scientists use Tableau to display and manipulate data, analyze data, and present their findings to their supervisors. They’re more likely to encounter situations where they need to understand Tableau widely, rather than knowing how to use its basic functions. Consider your long-term goals before enrolling in a Tableau class to help decide how much training you need. 

Do You Prefer In-Person or Online Training?

The internet has expanded the scope of learning, allowing you to take classes from the comfort of your home or office if you wish. No longer must students commute to a classroom to learn new skills when they have access to a stable internet connection. However, some students prefer to continue learning in person. It’s important that you consider your learning style and the benefits and drawbacks of in-person versus online learning when enrolling in a Tableau class. 

In-person classes follow a traditional learning structure, where students attend scheduled classes in a physical classroom or computer lab. An instructor teaches classes face-to-face and students often work together, which can make in-person classes feel welcoming and familiar to students. In-person classes also offer the benefit of fewer distractions, as schools design and organize classrooms with learning in mind. Drawbacks of in-person classes include the commute, which eats up time and money, and the potentially limited or nonexistent class offerings in your area.

Online classes provide students with flexible learning options. Live online classes allow you to attend class from your preferred location and on-demand classes let students work on-the-go. Live online classes hold some similarities to in-person classes, while on-demand classes do not; they follow a schedule and students learn from a live instructor, whereas on-demand classes provide instant access to course materials such as video lectures and assignments. Despite the benefits of flexible learning, students find that live online classes can make it difficult to keep up with the instructor in a way that in-person training does not face, and on-demand classes lack structure which may result in falling behind. Both learning options also present the potential for learning in a distracting environment, as most will opt to learn from home. 

Learn Tableau with Noble Desktop

No matter your needs, Noble Desktop has a Tableau course for you. For a quick introduction to Tableau, enroll in Noble’s Tableau Bootcamp. The 12-hour live online class covers charts, graphs, and maps as forms of data visualization and how to create them in Tableau. Training is interactive with hands-on lessons that allow students to get a feel for working with Tableau. The second module includes individualized project work, emphasizing Noble Desktop’s commitment to helping students develop career-ready skills. 

Students looking to leverage their Tableau experience during a job search should consider Noble Desktop’s Tableau Certification Program. This two-part program consists of two Tableau classes and six hours of private tutoring split into two 3-hour sessions. Students will begin learning the basics of Tableau and data visualization before transitioning to lessons that will prepare them to take the Tableau Desktop Specialist exam. The six hours of private tutoring aim to help students prepare for the exam and ask questions about difficult concepts. 

Those looking to learn Tableau as part of a broader goal to become a data science professional might find Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate program beneficial. Noble offers a six-week full-time and 24-week part-time version of the program, which is taught live online. 12 hours of the 156-hour hands-on program cover Tableau, while the rest of the lessons will teach you the foundations of data analytics along with using Python, SQL, and Excel.