Easy to learn, hard to master.
Tableau Software is one of the most user-friendly data visualization tools available. It requires minimal technical knowledge (assuming the data has been cleaned and prepped) and the only coding required adopts a similar syntax to that of Python’s!
Why Tableau? Other data-related applications such as Excel are good for table focused, static, and densely packed reports (ex, pivot tables). While Tableau can produce spreadsheet like dashboards, the data cannot be fundamentally changed once it has been loaded into the software. Tableau is for visual reporting, and is commonly used to answers specific data questions.
The fastest way to learn and understand Tableau is by doing. Hopefully this tutorial provides you with a good foundation and starting point!
TABLEAU APPROACH
- Question: what are we aiming to answer?
- Exploration: what does our data support?
- Design: how will our dashboard look?
DATA CONNECTOR
When you first open Tableau, you will be prompted to connect to a data file or server. Typically, locally saved data files or extracts are used. In my experience, servers are used by large organizations to align data files to what is held in the company records. To connect a data file, select a file type, then:
- Connection: shows which data files have been uploaded
- Files: shows all the sheets from the file
- Note: if this is a data refresh, make sure to refresh all extracts on the worksheets
WORKSHEETS
Worksheets are where all the visualizations are built. Worksheets can be combined and published as Dashboards or Storyboards.
- Show Me: Tableau’s standard charts, they are highly customizable so a great place to draw inspiration from
- Data Pane: loads in all columns from the data
- Dimensions: qualitative columns, splits the data into groups
- Measures: quantitative columns, simple table calculations can be performed on them
- View Pane: where visualizations are built
- Pill: represents a column. Columns can be dragged an dropped from the data pane onto the view pane
- Card: represents a given aspect of the visual (ex, columns or rows). What you drop a card into, a pill must fall within it (a card can have multiple pills)
- Columns: when a pill is dragged and dropped into this card, it will show this column in a table format on the view pane (format can be changed using Show Me)
- Rows: when a pill is dragged and dropped into this card, it will show this row in a table format on the view pane (format can be changed using Show Me)
- Filters: allows you to filter the data. Pills can be dragged and dropped into the Filter Pane (right click on the filter and select Show Filter, it will appear on the right side of the screen). Filters can also be created using formulas
- Marks: data points found in the visualization. Used for visual formatting to adjust specific features (ex, colour, label, size)
CALCULATED FIELDS
Sometimes, the data does not contain what is needed for your analysis (ex, shows revenues and costs, but not profits). However, you can perform calculations on the given data to achieve the view you want.
- Create: under Analysis, select Create Calculated Field
- Unaggregated Fields: there exists an individual data point for each field
- Aggregated Fields: outputs one value, based on a function applied to combine multiple individual fields
- Logic Functions: a new pill will be created. It can be dragged and dropped alongside other pills to process them using the same code
Syntax Example:
- IF [Pill Name] = ‘condition 1’ THEN ‘apply logic’
- ELSEIF [Pill Name] = ‘condition 2’ THEN ‘apply different logic’
- ELSE ‘apply final logic’
- END
Syntax Explanation:
- IF: must write a condition to process the data (only once at the beginning)
- ELSEIF: if the IF condition is not met, program will verify against the ELSEIF function (can be used as many times as desired)
- ELSE: if both IF and ELSEIF conditions are not met, program will execute the ELSE action (only used once)
- END: concludes the data processing (only used once at the end)
RESOURCES
The fastest way to learn Tableau is by doing. Below, I have referenced resources that have helped me:
Download Tableau (free for students!): https://www.tableau.com/en-ca/products/desktop/download
Tableau’s Free Training Resource: www.tableau.com/learn/training
Skillshare Video: www.skillshare.com/classes/Beautify-your-Data-Intro-to-Data-Visualization-using-Tableau/1547035247/projects
Data Types: www.onlinehelp.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/dataview_examples.htm
Calculated Fields: www.onlinehelp.tableau.com/currenty/pro/desktop/en-us/calculations_calculatedfields.htm
Encouragement: www.quora.com/How-long-does-it-take-to-learn-Tableau
Happy Learning!
