How to load data from AWS to tableau for easy visualization

Andrew Nwanakwaugwu MBCS
3 min readJul 11, 2023

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Introduction:
In today's data-driven world, making informed business decisions requires powerful analytics tools. Tableau, a widely-used data visualization and business intelligence platform, empowers users to gain valuable insights from their data. If you have your data stored in Amazon Web Services (AWS), you can seamlessly integrate it with Tableau for insightful analysis. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of loading data from AWS to Tableau.

Step 1: Prepare Your Data in AWS:
Before we can load data into Tableau, it must be stored and organized in AWS. This step assumes you have already set up an AWS account and have data stored in a suitable AWS service, such as Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) or Amazon Redshift (data warehousing service). Ensure that you have the necessary permissions to access and retrieve your data.

Step 2: Install and Configure Tableau Desktop:
To get started, you'll need Tableau Desktop installed on your local machine. If you haven't done so already, visit the Tableau website and download the appropriate version for your operating system. Once installed, launch Tableau Desktop and ensure it's ready to connect to external data sources.

Step 3: Connect to AWS Data Source:
In Tableau Desktop, click on "Connect to Data" to access the Connect pane. Here, you'll find a wide range of data connection options. Select the appropriate AWS service connector based on where your data resides.

For Amazon S3:
If your data is stored in Amazon S3, choose the "Amazon S3" connector. Provide the necessary credentials, such as AWS Access Key ID and Secret Access Key, to establish the connection. Specify the bucket and file(s) you wish to load into Tableau.

For Amazon Redshift:
If you're working with data stored in Amazon Redshift, select the "Amazon Redshift" connector. Enter the required connection details, including the server, database, and authentication credentials. Tableau will establish a connection to your Redshift cluster.

Step 4: Configure Data Extraction and Transformation:
Once connected to your AWS data source, Tableau provides options to customize how the data is extracted and transformed. You can apply filters, aggregate data, create calculated fields, and perform other transformations as needed. These actions allow you to shape your data to fit your analysis requirements.

Step 5: Load Data into Tableau:
After configuring the desired data transformations, you're ready to load the data into Tableau. Tableau Desktop offers various ways to load data, including live connections and data extracts. A live connection directly accesses the data source, while a data extract creates a local copy of the data for faster performance. Choose the appropriate method based on your needs and preferences.

Step 6: Visualize and Analyze Your Data:
With your data successfully loaded into Tableau, it's time to unleash the power of data visualization and analysis. Tableau offers a rich set of tools and features to explore your data, create insightful visualizations, and build interactive dashboards. Leverage the vast array of charts, graphs, and other visualization options to communicate your findings effectively.

Conclusion:
By following these step-by-step instructions, you can seamlessly load data from AWS to Tableau and harness the full potential of your data for visual analysis. Remember to prepare your data in AWS, install and configure Tableau Desktop, connect to your AWS data source, customize data extraction and transformation, load the data into Tableau, and then dive into the world of data visualization and analysis. With AWS and Tableau as your allies, you'll gain actionable insights and drive data-informed decision-making within your organization.Have fun playing with data on cloud!

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Andrew Nwanakwaugwu MBCS

MSc. Data Science graduate of University of Salford Manchester who loves sharing knowledge and creating opportunities for international students.