Tableau Desktop Level 1: Introduction for Novice Users

Tableau has for some time been one of the most popular Business Intelligence and data visualization tools available. Why? Because, quite simply, it’s a tool that’s responsive to the needs of modern businesses. But it’s most effective when you know how to get what you want from it – it might make your business intelligent, but it isn’t going to make you intelligent…

We’ll make sure you’re well prepared to take full advantage of Tableau 10’s new features. Whether you’re an experienced data analyst that wants to explore 2016’s new Tableau, or you’re a beginner that wants to expand their skillset and bring a more professional and sharper approach to their organization, we’ve got you covered. Beginning with the fundamentals, such as data preparation, you’ll soon learn how to build and customize your own data visualizations and dashboards, essential for high-level visibility and effective data storytelling. You’ll also find out how to so trend analysis and forecasting using clustering and distribution models to inform your analytics.

But it’s not just about you – when it comes to data it’s all about availability and access. That’s why we’ll show you how to share your Tableau visualizations. It’s only once insights are shared and communicated that you – and your organization – will start making smarter and informed decisions. And really, that’s exactly what this guide is for.

Features

• Create stylish visualizations and dashboards that explain complexity with clarity

• Learn effective data storytelling to transform how your business uses ideas and makes decisions

• Explore all the new features in Tableau 10 and start to redefine what business analytics means to your organization

Learning

• Find out how to build effective visualizations and dashboards

• Prepare and clean your data so you can be sure Tableau is finding answers to your questions – not raising more problems

• Discover how to create advanced visualizations that explain complexity with clarity and style

• Dig deeper into your data with clustering and distribution models that allow you to analyze trends and make forecasts

• Learn how to use data storytelling to aid decision-making and strategy

• Share dashboards and visualizations to cultivate a culture where data is available and valued

Version

This course will be taught with the Version 10 course materials and software. Users of Tableau Version 9 will feel comfortable in the class because the user interface is very similar between versions 9 and 10. Instructors will also be able to highlight new features and differences between the two versions, as appropriate.

Audience

This two-day course is designed for the beginner Tableau user. It will help you understand and use the basic techniques for creating visualizations and combining them in interactive dashboards. This course is taught using Tableau version 10 software. However, the class is appropriate for users of version 9 and the instructor will highlight the minor differences between the two versions.

Prerequisites

Before attending this course, students should have experience using Microsoft Excel.

Certification Options
This class, when combined with our Tableau Level 2 class, offer a strong foundation in preparation for the Tableau Qualified Associate Exam. Exam prep guide is shown here: mkt.tableau.com/files/Desktop-9-QA-Prep-Guide.pdf

Course Outline

1: Creating Your First Visualizations and Dashboard

• Connecting to data
• Foundations for building visualizations
• Visualizing data
• Creating bar charts
• Creating line charts
• Creating geographic visualizations
• Using Show Me
• Bringing everything together in a dashboard
• Summary

2: Working with Data in Tableau

• The Tableau paradigm
• Connecting to data
• Managing data source metadata
• Working with extracts instead of live connections
• Tableau file types
• Joins and blends
• Filtering data
• Summary

3: Moving from Foundational to More Advanced Visualizations

• Comparing values across different dimensions
• Visualizing dates and times
• Relating parts of the data to the whole
• Visualizing distributions
• Visualizing multiple axes to compare different measures
• Summary

4: Using Row-Level, Aggregate, and Level of Detail Calculations

• Creating and editing calculations
• Overview of the three main types of calculations
• Level of Detail calculations
• Parameters
• Practical examples of calculations and parameters
• Ad hoc calculations
• Performance considerations
• Summary

5: Table Calculations

• Overview of table calculations
• Quick table calculations
• Relative versus fixed
• Scope and direction
• Addressing and partitioning
• Custom table calculations
• Practical examples
• Data densification
• Summary

6: Formatting a Visualization to Look Great and Work Well

• Formatting considerations
• Understanding how formatting works in Tableau
• Adding value to visualizations
• Summary

7: Telling a Data Story with Dashboards

• Dashboard objectives
• Example - is least profitable always unprofitable?
• Designing for different displays and devices
• How actions work
• Example - regional scorecard
• Stories
• Summary

8: Making Data Work for You

• Structuring data for Tableau
• Techniques for dealing with data structure issues
• Overview of advanced fixes for data problems
• Summary

9: Advanced Visualizations, Techniques, Tips, and Tricks

• Advanced visualizations
• Sheet swapping and dynamic dashboards
• Advanced mapping techniques
• Using background images
• Animation
• Summary

10: Sharing Your Data Story

• Presenting, printing, and exporting
• Sharing with users of Tableau Desktop and Tableau Reader
• Sharing with users of Tableau Server, Tableau Online, and Tableau Public
• Additional distribution options using Tableau Server
• Summary