Introduction to Creating Great Data Visualizations with Tableau Desktop (for New Users)

Course Objectives

This skills-focused course combines expert lecture, real-world demonstrations and group discussions with machine-based practical labs and exercises.  Working in a hands-on learning environment led by our expert facilitator, students will learn how to:

• Connect to your data; Edit and save a data source.
• Understand Tableau terminology.
• Use the Tableau interface / paradigm to effectively create powerful visualizations.
• Create basic calculations including string manipulation, basic arithmetic calculations, custom aggregations and ratios, date math, logic statements and quick table calculations.
• Represent your data using the following visualization types: Cross Tabs; Geographic Maps; Heat Maps; Distribution Charts; Tree Maps; Pie Charts and Bar Charts; Dual Axis and Combo Charts with different mark types; Box Plots; Highlight Tables; Scatter Plots
• Use Reference Lines to highlight elements of your data.
• Use groups, bins, hierarchies, sorts, sets, and filters to create focused and effective visualizations
• Use Measure Name and Measure Value fields to create visualizations with multiple measures and dimensions.
• Handle changes in your data source such as field addition, deletion or name changes.
• Share your visualizations with others.
• Combine your visualizations into Interactive Dashboards and publish them to the web.

Need different skills or topics?  If your team requires different topics or tools, additional skills or custom approach, this course may be further adjusted to accommodate.  We offer additional Tableau, reporting, data analytics, visualization and other related topics that may be blended with this course for a track that best suits your needs.

Course Prerequisites

This is an introductory-level Tableau course geared for attendees new to using the tool, or for those who want a refresher of the basics or newer features.  Ideal attendees would be beginner Tableau users who want to quickly get up to speed with intermediate level Tableau features and functions, with focus on data visualization.  Individuals working with data-regardless of technical or analytical background are a fit for this course.

Take Next: We offer a wide array of ‘next-step’ Tableau courses for various skill levels and roles.  Please see the Related Courses tab for Pre-Requisite courses, other similar courses you might review as an alternative, as well as suggested Next-Step Follow-On Courses and Learning Path recommendations.

Course Agenda

Please note that this list of topics is based on our standard course offering, evolved from typical industry uses and trends. We’ll work with you to tune this course and level of coverage to target the skills you need most. Topics, agenda and labs are subject to change, and may adjust during live delivery based on audience interests, skill-level and participation.

1. Getting to Know Tableau

• Overview of Tableau
• Navigate the Tableau Interface and Configure Settings

2. Connecting to and Preparing Data

• Connect to Data
• Prepare Data for Analysis
• Save Workbook Files

3. Exploring Data

• Create a View
• Customize Data in Visualizations

4. Managing Storing and Grouping Data

• Adjust Fields
• Sort Data
• Group Data

5. Saving and Sharing Data

• Save and Publish Data Sources
• Share Workbooks for Collaboration

6. Filtering Data

• Configure Worksheet Filters
• Apply Advanced Filter Options
• Create Interactive Filters

7. Customizing Visualizations

• Format and Annotate Views
• Highlight Data
• Create Advanced Visualizations
• Slicing your data by date, mapping data geographically, and customizing your data
• Using multiple measures in a view, showing the relationship between numerical values, and viewing specific values

8. Creating Maps, Dashboards and Stories

• Create Maps
• Create Dashboards
• Create Stories

9. Blending Data to Visualize Relationships

• Blend Data
• Troubleshoot and Refine Data Blends

10. Joining Data

• Create Joins
• Troubleshoot Joins
• Union Data

11. Accessing Data in PDFs

• Connect to PDFs
• Clean and Organize PDF Data

12. Refining Visualizations with Sets and Parameters

• Create Sets
• Analyze Data with Sets
• Apply Parameters to Data to Refine Visualizations

13. Manipulating Data with Calculations

• Create Calculated Fields
• Manipulate Data with Functions
• Analyze Data with Table Calculations
• Analyzing data with quick table calculations
• Showing breakdowns of the whole

14. Visualizing Data with Advanced Calculations

• Create Groups and Bins with Calculations
• Analyze Data with LOD Expressions

• Performing Statistical Analysis and Forecasting
• Perform Statistical Analysis
• Forecast Data Trends
• Highlighting data with reference lines

15. Enriching Visualizations, Dashboards and Maps

• Customize Mapped Data
• Enhance Visualizations with Tooltips
• Enhance Dashboards with Actions

Course Materials

All course materials, data sets, Tableau course software (limited version, for course use only), course notes and related resources (as applicable) are provided for attendees in our easy access, no installation required, remote lab environment for the duration of the course. Our tech team will help set up, test and verify lab access for each attendee prior to the course start date, ensuring a smooth start to class and successful hands-on course experience for all participants.