Tableau is a data visualization and business intelligence tool that helps users simplify raw data into a format that’s easy for a general audience to understand. This software also allows non-technical users to create customized dashboards with which they can share their data findings. An important factor in deciding to learn a new skill is researching complementary and related skills. Doing so will help you make more informed decisions about what you want to learn, and it will help you decide whether studying a specific skill is the right decision for you. You will also learn what kind of skills you may want to acquire to complement your training later on. Read on to learn more about related Tableau training options, such as data analytics literacy, as well as knowledge of SQL and programs like Power BI and SAS. 

What is Tableau?

Tableau is a data visualization tool. This software can simplify raw data into an accessible dashboard format that incorporates visual depictions of raw data, which can then be understood by various professionals working within a company.

Tableau provides features for 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. Because Tableau doesn’t require programming or technical skills, it’s an accessible tool for data analytics.

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

What Can You Do with Tableau Skills?

Tableau can bring together various data sources into a single point of truth. This provides one central source that’s useful for all types of business reporting. It also efficiently performs ETL operations (extract, transform and load). Tableau’s automated data reshaper tool can transform any data into the necessary format by splitting fields or eliminating headers or white space. 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 knowledge. This tool’s visualization capabilities present information clearly, effectively, and engagingly. 

Skills Related to Tableau

Data visualization is an in-demand skill set that draws from, builds on, and can complement other data skills, tools, and languages. The following sections will briefly examine four skills that complement Tableau: data analytics literacy, knowledge of SQL programming, Microsoft Power BI, and SAS.

Data Analytics Literacy

Although it may seem obvious, performing data visualization requires that you first have a solid understanding of what data analytics is, as well as how to perform this task. Being well-rounded in data analytics requires a range of related skills. Each day, Data Analysts interrogate sets of data. They search for answers to driving organizational questions and offer answers based on how they interpret data findings. This requires knowledge of statistics as well as mathematics in general. In addition, when synthesizing vast datasets and interpreting data results, data professionals also must apply data summarization and aggregation.

Another component of the data analytics process involves devising and applying various techniques to test data, such as ANOVA testing, hypothesis testing, and A/B testing. They then develop models to describe and fit the data. Data Analysts need to know more than simply which statistical models to apply to data; they also have to know how the data relates to itself. This means they must be skilled at knowing the difference between various data structures and storage methods. They must also understand how to apply concepts like on-to-many relationships, primary keys, and dimensions to create robust datasets. The more you understand fundamental data analytics concepts, the easier it will be to visualize data results using Tableau or a similar program.

If you’re interested in learning more about the data analytics process, Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate provides hands-on training in a range of analytics skills, such as working with Python, SQL, Excel, and Tableau.

SQL

SQL, or structured query language, is an essential tool for leveraging data. SQL is one of the most widely used programming languages, especially for data professionals, as it provides a way to access the data stored within databases. Those who know how to use SQL to retrieve data, create stored procedures and joins, design aggregations, and work with various types of data are better equipped to retrieve the data they need.

Another reason why SQL knowledge is essential for data professionals is because nearly every type of data technology supports SQL or one of its flavors. As technology continues to evolve, data professionals must stay current with the latest technologies to remain competitive. Most data-oriented technology uses the SQL interface. This means it’s very likely that those who regularly work with data will need SQL knowledge when working on any technology that’s driven by data.

SQL is often listed as the most in-demand skill a Data Analyst can have. Since these professionals work with huge amounts of data for manipulations and analysis, SQL is essential in that it makes it easier for them to suggest strategic business decisions based on data trends they’ve found. In addition, Because Tableau uses VizQL for translating user actions into SQL, those who already know how to work with SQL can better devise optimized work that scales.

A great way to learn more about SQL and how it’s used to communicate with databases is to enroll in Noble Desktop’s SQL Bootcamp.

Power BI

Microsoft Power BI is a popular tool for business intelligence that helps users analyze and visualize raw data. The data findings then help their organization make data-driven decisions. Power BI helps data professionals discover and visualize what’s currently happening within an organization and anticipate what may occur in the future. With the help of machine learning capabilities, Power BI can find data patterns, then draw from them to predict “what-if” scenarios. These predictions then allow Power BI users to make forecasts that prepare for a range of potential demand patterns. With the help of data visualization techniques, Power BI users can communicate important data findings to decision-makers within their organization.

Power BI is an effective tool for those who work with data because it can input vast data stores that other platforms would struggle to process. This cloud-based platform regularly updates its intelligence capabilities and algorithms. This versatile platform can also integrate with a range of business management tools, such as Google Analytics, Office 365, SAP, Hadoop, and SharePoint, which makes it easy to share data across platforms.

Noble Desktop’s Power BI Bootcamp provides small-class instruction on how to use this business intelligence platform. Those enrolled receive expert instruction on designing engaging data visualizations that can be included in business reports, as well as how to work with Power Query.

SAS

SAS is a command-driven, integrated statistical software suite commonly used for business intelligence, data management, statistical analytics, advanced analytics, and data visualization. Short for Statistical Analysis Software, SAS allows users to apply various qualitative processes and techniques to improve profit margins and employee productivity. This software also has applications for advanced analytics tasks, such as predictive analysis and crime investigation. You can use SAS software either through the SAS programming language and a graphical interface or through Base SAS. 

SAS allows users to extract and categorize data, which aids with spotting patterns within the numbers. This group of computer programs works in concert to store and retrieve data values, modify data, perform basic and complex statistical analytics tasks, and create reports based on data findings. This independent platform can be run on any operating system, such as Windows or Linux. One of the reasons SAS is preferred to other business intelligence tools is its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and the extensive support it offers to help users programmatically analyze and transform data. This allows users to retain granular control over the data manipulation process.

Learn Tableau Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides several great Tableau learning opportunities. For those new to Tableau, 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.

For those seeking a more rigorous learning environment for learning Tableau, Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is a great option that covers 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 Takeaway 

• Tableau is a popular tool for analyzing and visualizing data. It is also used to help data professionals simplify raw data into a format that can be accessed and understood by a non-technical audience.
• If you’re interested in studying Tableau, you may wish to learn complementary data tools and skills as well, such as SQL, Power BI, and SAS. 
• In addition, the more familiar you are with the data analytics process, the easier it will be for you to acquire the skills needed to visualize data using Tableau.
• You can receive comprehensive Tableau training through Noble Desktop, either in person or online.