Tableau is a widely used data visualization tool with a range of business applications. This user-friendly software aids with data organization and analytics and can create a variety of stunning visualizations based on data findings, such as scatter plots, bubble charts, and Gantt charts. Once you’ve decided to learn Tableau, the next important question is choosing how it is you plan to learn these skills. Most students find that they learn better when they receive guided training, and there is no shortage of available options for students to receive guidance in their Tableau studies. To learn more about the different Tableau training options and what advantages and disadvantages they carry with them, read on.

What is Tableau?

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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. 

Why Training Format Matters 

Deciding which training format is best for your Tableau studies is an important consideration. Likely, this decision will depend on several key factors, as well as personal preferences. When deciding, you may wish to ask yourself questions like: Are you able to commit to a long course of study, or do you need to learn certain key data visualization skills in a relatively short time? Do you live near a major metropolitan area with access to in-person study options, or are you in a more remote region? Do you work full-time and need to balance studies with professional commitments? And, do you prefer learning in the in-person or virtual format? Read on to explore various Tableau training options to decide which is best for you.

Types of Training Formats

If you’d like to learn Tableau, you can choose from four primary types of classes. In-person classes and live online learning options give participants access to an instructor in real-time. On-demand coursework is pre-recorded and can be completed asynchronously. Free classes take a variety of forms but typically provide content that was recorded earlier and is available online. 

Live In-Person Classes

The most engaging and interactive way to study Tableau is in the in-person learning format. Students who wish to study in this format attend regularly occurring classes at a training facility with a computer lab. Participants have access to the most up-to-date data analytics and visualization software and tools. Although in-person study requires commuting to and from class for each meeting, you have the opportunity to network with other learners as you study, which is an additional professional perk. Students can also receive individualized and immediate support and guidance from an instructor with real-world experience working with Tableau. 

Live Online Classes

If you’re interested in studying Tableau in the live format but aren’t able to commute to class due to other commitments, live online training options are an excellent alternative. These courses are taught by a live instructor and take place in real-time, which means students can actively participate and ask questions as they arise. Participants can even allow the instructor to share their screen for additional guidance with complex data visualization concepts. One of the main benefits of live online Tableau study is that it can be completed from any location with an internet connection. You can complete your studies from the comfort of your home space or a local coffee shop. Although this learning format requires that participants schedule the time needed to attend regular classes, there is no need to battle rush-hour traffic or waste time searching for parking to learn Tableau.

On-Demand Classes

The most flexible way to study Tableau is through the on-demand learning format. Unlike in-person and live online study, which is led in real-time by a live instructor, on-demand training provides students with pre-recorded content. Students complete coursework at their own speed and can do so from any location at any time. On-demand content like videos and written lessons are recorded by top educational providers, then made available online. Asynchronous Tableau material is a good study option for those who are new to learning Tableau and want to gain a basic understanding of this tool. However, since learners don’t have access to an instructor, they cannot ask questions. This makes on-demand coursework well-suited for introductory-level Tableau instruction. For more in-depth study, or to learn Tableau for professional reasons, a more structured learning format may be a better option.

Free Courses

Free Tableau courses are also offered from some top educational providers, like Coursera and Udemy. Generally, free Tableau classes are pre-recorded and are available to students in the asynchronous format. Content ranges from online blog posts to written material to videos on YouTube or other platforms. Because there is no cost associated with study, free Tableau classes are a low-stakes way to get started visualizing data. They can provide a general overview of Tableau and teach you some of the basics of navigating dashboards. However, because of the sheer amount of free content available online, it’s important when choosing a free Tableau class to select one with up-to-date content. In addition, since these courses are asynchronous, they will not provide a live instructor to answer questions. Free Tableau classes are, therefore, a good starting point in your Tableau learning journey. Live online or in-person coursework may be needed for more advanced Tableau training.

Depth of Training Formats

In addition to deciding between in-person and online study, another important decision you’ll make on your journey to learn Tableau is choosing a training format. Certificate study is typically the longest and most rigorous, whereas training bootcamps and introductory coursework are shorter and more focused. The following sections will briefly explore each of these training formats, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Certificate Programs

Enrolling in a certificate program is one of the most rigorous and effective ways to learn Tableau. Certificates are generally extended learning opportunities that span several weeks or even months. They provide rigorous, hands-on training designed to help you get a career working with data. Some certificate programs focus exclusively on Tableau, whereas others are broader in scope and teach this software alongside other data analytics tools, such as Excel, SQL, and Python. Certificates are typically the most expensive learning option apart from four-year college or university study, costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. With the cost comes many benefits, such as professional mentoring and real-world experience visualizing data.

Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate provides training in a range of data analytics and visualization skills and is available in the in-person and live online format. 

Training Bootcamps

If you want to focus your training on Tableau, a bootcamp is an excellent way to learn this tool. Whereas certificate study often covers a range of data analytics tools, languages, and software, bootcamps offer a more focused course of study. This makes them an excellent option for those who need to learn Tableau for professional reasons and don’t want to spend months learning related skills. Bootcamps are generally shorter in duration than certificate study. Most span just days or weeks. They also cost much less than most certificates and range in price from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

If you’d like to learn how to visualize data, Noble’s Tableau for Data Visualization is available. Students work with Tableau Public’s range of tools to explore, analyze, and filter data, as well as publish various kinds of visualizations.

Introductory Courses

In addition to certificate and bootcamp study, another training format to learn Tableau is through introductory-level coursework. Introductory Tableau classes are generally short and require just a few days of study time. These classes are designed to help those without experience working with Tableau or visualizing data become familiar with this tool. Most introductory-level classes cost significantly less than certificate or bootcamp study, (usually several hundred dollars or less), making them a cost-effective format for Tableau study. Some educational providers provide various introductory-level classes, such as levels 1, 2, and 3, so learners can select the class most suited for their skills and learning needs.

To learn Tableau basics, you may wish to enroll in Noble Desktop’s Tableau Level 1. This beginner-friendly class teaches participants how to create basic data visualizations like maps, charts, graphs, and dashboards.

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 Insights

• If you’re interested in studying Tableau, many excellent training types and formats are available. Deciding which is best for you will likely depend on your schedule, your ability to commute to class for scheduled meetings, and your preference for learning format. Each of these factors will inform the training format you select.
• In-person and live online Tableau classes are the most interactive way to study this tool. They offer access to a live instructor in real-time. Self-paced coursework, as well as free training options, are also available. These types of study provide pre-recorded content that learners can complete independently.
• Certificate programs in Tableau are also available. These provide rigorous training in Tableau and often also provide instruction on various other data analytics tools. Bootcamps and introductory-level Tableau courses are also available, providing a more pointed way of learning Tableau.
• Comprehensive Tableau training is available in the in-person and live online format from Noble Desktop.