How to Learn Tableau

Tableau is the leading data visualization and business intelligence platform currently available. Those with training in Tableau can perform quick analysis on large volumes of data, then create dashboards and reports to share their findings with stakeholders and policymakers within their organization. If you are interested in learning Tableau, the number of learning methods may be overwhelming at first glance. There are books, video tutorials, classes, and more; choosing which is best for you depends on several variables, such as your personal preferences and learning style. 

Here, we’ll discuss the various methods of learning Tableau so you can make an informed decision about how you’ll begin your educational journey.

What is Tableau?

Tableau is a data visualization tool used for data analytics and business intelligence. It was designed to help individuals and organizations make better data-driven solutions. This software can simplify raw data into an accessible dashboard format that incorporates visual depictions of raw data from datasets, which can then be understood by various professionals working within a company, regardless of whether they come from a technical background. One of the main benefits of working with Tableau is that it performs fast data analysis and can create stunning visualizations based on data findings.

Tableau provides users with many helpful data analysis and visualization features, such as 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. In addition, Tableau doesn’t require programming or technical skills, making it an accessible, effective tool for data analytics.

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

What Can You Do with Tableau?

Tableau has a variety of professional uses. Ultimately, the more you know about Tableau, the more data-driven insights you can bring to your organization. Tableau can bring together various data sources into a single point of truth. For example, suppose you’re working with data in Microsoft Access and Excel, as well as in SQL databases and cloud-based applications such as Salesforce. In that case, Tableau can help you bring these data together with just a few mouse clicks. This provides one central source that can be used for all types of business reporting and doesn’t require you to have any coding knowledge to set up. 

Tableau also provides a way to efficiently perform ETL operations (extract, transform and load). With the help of Tableau’s automated data reshaper tool, you can transform any data you want to use into the necessary format by splitting fields, eliminating header and white space, and changing data formats. Instead of spending a whole day extracting, transforming, and loading data using apps such as Excel, you can do it in just seconds in Tableau. In addition, 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 know-how or additional time commitment.

One of Tableau’s most remarkable features is its visualization capabilities. Even for those new to visually presenting data insights, Tableau comes with built-in best practices to help you present information clearly, effectively, and engagingly. This helps ensure that data is delivered to internal and external stakeholders through eye-catching and informative reports.

In-Person Tableau Training

In-person Tableau study provides learners with many benefits. For those who thrive in the traditional classroom environment, such as extroverted learners and those interested in connecting with other classmates, in-person study provides such an opportunity. Those who enroll in classroom Tableau classes have access to computers with the software they will need already installed. They also have access to an expert instructor who can provide support and guidance and answer any questions as they arise. However, one drawback to this kind of study is that it requires an additional time and monetary commitment of commuting to and from class for each meeting.

Various in-person Tableau classes are currently available from top educational providers. Noble Desktop’s Tableau Level 1 is a beginner-friendly class that provides students with instruction on how to work with Tableau Public. By course completion, those enrolled will know how to connect to datasets, create and manipulate charts, and design attention-grabbing data visualizations. 

For those interested in a more comprehensive Tableau class, Noble Desktop’s Tableau Bootcamp and Data Analytics Certificate are great options. Students can choose to study in person in New York City or complete these classes in a live online environment. In addition, other Tableau classes are offered by other schools, such as Certstaffix Training’s Tableau Desktop: Business Intelligence and The Academy’s Tableau Basic and Advanced courses.

Live Online Tableau Training

Live online Tableau study is a great alternative to in-person coursework. Like in the classroom, live online Tableau courses allow you to connect with an expert instructor in real-time so that they can answer your questions before moving on to new concepts. Because classes can be completed from any location, such as your home, office, or even a local coffee shop, you don’t have to waste time commuting in rush-hour traffic or searching for parking each night. However, one drawback to studying in an online environment is that you must still be able to meet for regularly scheduled classes, which may mean taking off work.

If you are interested in searching for live online Tableau classes, Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool can help with this search. Beginner-friendly courses are listed for those new to using Tableau, such as NYIM Training’s Tableau Level 1, Ledet Training’s Tableau 101, and Certstaffix Training’s Tableau Desktop: Basic. If you already have experience creating data visualizations but want to learn more advanced Tableau functions, courses like Ledet Training’s Tableau Bootcamp or General Assembly’s Design Your Data: Tableau Bootcamp both provide industry-relevant instruction on data analysis and visualization. 

Free Online Courses & Tutorials

Not ready to dive into a full Tableau course? Instead of committing to a rigorous bootcamp or certificate in data visualization, you may just want an overview of Tableau. If this sounds like you, the good news is that you can start learning Tableau for free online. Noble Desktop offers some excellent free online Tableau tutorials and resources that can help Tableau novices, along with more seasoned Tableau users, learn more about this popular application. Articles are available on topics like how to install Tableau Public, working with Colors in Tableau, and Creating Maps in Tableau. 

In addition to Noble Desktop’s free Tableau resources, other top educational providers also offer free, beginner-level Tableau instruction. Udemy’s free Tableau Tutorial for Beginners provides nearly two-and-a-half hours of instruction on core Tableau skills, such as joining multiple datasets, writing powerful calculations, and performing visual analytics. Coursera’s Data Visualization and Communication with Tableau teaches students how to communicate business-relevant insights in a manner accessible to audiences from non-technical backgrounds. 

Read about more free Tableau videos and online tutorials. 

On-Demand Tableau Classes

Another popular type of Tableau training is on-demand study. Unlike traditional courses that meet in a classroom or live online classes that occur at regularly scheduled intervals and are led by an instructor in real-time, on-demand study takes place online. These courses generally consist of pre-recorded video content, tutorials, and modules. For beginners seeking an overview of Tableau, on-demand training can help you get a feel for this tool, as well as decide if you are interested in studying it further. These courses are often a cost-effective option since they tend to cost much less than live online or in-person study; some asynchronous Tableau classes are even free. 

However, there are several drawbacks to on-demand Tableau study. Because learners complete lessons independently, they do not have access to an instructor to answer questions. This can make it challenging to learn advanced Tableau features or functions.The sheer number of online asynchronous courses currently offered in data visualization can make it difficult to determine which course is the best match for you and which course offers correct information. Finally, because all on-demand study is self-paced, you must be a disciplined and self-motivated learner to thrive in this learning environment. 

If you are considering on-demand Tableau classes to help you learn the basics about working with this tool, courses are currently offered in topics such as data visualization, Tableau Desktop, using Tableau for data science, and creating interactive Tableau dashboards.

Which Learning Method is Right for Me?

With so many different resources currently available to help beginners learn Tableau, you may not be sure which one is the best match for you. Everyone has their unique learning style and preferences, so you can experiment with various tools to decide which one feels right for you. One of the greatest parts about directing your own learning is that you can choose which combination of tools you prefer and don’t have to rely solely on those that a teacher chooses.

Another important consideration when deciding which learning method is most suited for you is how demanding your current schedule is. If you are balancing many responsibilities, such as family commitments and full-time employment, you may not be able to devote the time needed for a structured course that meets at the same time each day. In addition, commuting to and from in-person study can require an even more significant time commitment, along with the cost associated with travel. In such instances, self-paced classes or video tutorials may be a better Tableau learning option because students can access them around other life commitments. On the other hand, those who have a more flexible schedule may prefer the structure of in-person or live online learning options. 

Why Learn Tableau?

Learning to use Tableau has many professional benefits. The following are just a few reasons why you should consider studying this powerful data visualization tool:

• Tableau is considered to be easy to use. Those with Tableau knowledge can quickly create complex graphs and charts that depict data findings.
• Many career paths rely on Tableau, such as software engineering, business intelligence, data analytics, and business analytics.
• The average salary in the U.S. for Tableau professionals is over $100,000 a year.
• Many top companies actively seek out those with Tableau training, such as Dell, Meta, General Motors, and Bank of America.
• Tableau makes data manipulation and integration much easier to perform. The Tableau Reporting Tool can manipulate or integrate any programming language or type of software.
• Because so many organizations currently handle large volumes of data, those who know how to use Tableau can help their employer process, analyze, and visualize this information. The insights in the data help their organization grow by making data-driven decisions.

Read more about why you should learn Tableau. 

Level of Difficulty, Prerequisites, & Cost 

Tableau is considered a relatively easy-to-learn data analysis and visualization tool and can be mastered by anyone with enough time and practice. On average, it takes most people between two and six months to learn this software. This process can take even longer if you’re looking to master all of Tableau’s functions.

The speed at which you learn Tableau will depend mainly on the prerequisite skills you bring to the learning process. For example, if you are new to working with data or performing data visualizations, it may be more difficult to acclimate to Tableau’s features. This is why familiarity with applications such as Microsoft Excel can pave the way for using Tableau. Because Excel provides a platform for managing, analyzing, and visualizing data, knowledge of this app can speed up the Tableau learning process. In addition, those with a background in business analytics can often learn Tableau faster than others who lack this training.

The cost of using Tableau depends on which version you select. Tableau Reader and Tableau Public are available for free. When using Tableau Public, anyone can use the web to connect to a file or spreadsheet or to create their own interactive data visualization. Other versions of Tableau, such as Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server, come with a two-week free trial. After this period ends, you must pay to continue using them. Tableau Creator is available for $70/user/month, Tableau Explorer costs $42/user/month. Tableau Viewer is available for $15/user/month.

Read more about how difficult it is to learn Tableau. 

Learn Tableau with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides several great Tableau learning opportunities. For those new to Tableau, Noble’s Tableau Level 1 covers core Tableau tools and skills, such as creating various charts and data visualizations. Students receive an introduction to Tableau Public, a free version of Tableau, and learn how to create and edit graphs and charts.

In addition, 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. By course completion, students will know how to customize, manipulate, and publish various data visualizations. This class comes with the option of a free retake for students who wish to revisit course material.

For those seeking a more rigorous learning environment for learning Tableau, Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is a great option. In addition to providing hands-on training with Tableau in the small classroom environment, those enrolled in this certificate study also gain industry-relevant training with other 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 Takeaways

• Learning Tableau is easier than ever, thanks to the various in-person and online learning options currently available.
• When deciding which study option is best for you, things like your learning style and current work schedule can factor into the decision process.
• In-person Tableau classes provide an excellent way to connect with other learners and meet with an expert instructor in a traditional classroom environment. Live online study allows you to still meet with an instructor in real-time and have your Tableau questions answered but provides the added perk of allowing you to complete coursework from any location. On-demand Tableau study, such as online videos and tutorials, are great for beginners and allow you to learn Tableau at your own speed and on your own time.
• One great way to learn more about Tableau in the in-person or online format is to enroll in an in-person or live online Tableau class offered by Noble Desktop.