Tableau
Introduction to Tableau
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Explore Tableau Public and Tableau Dashboard
Learn how to connect, open, and discover sections in the Tableau
interface
Analyze how to connect to different types of files used to import
data
Business Scenario
ABC is a software development company. The organization presents data and
progress to the clients using data visualization. The majority of the clients have
indicated that they have numerous issues with the accuracy and consistency of
their visualizations.
The company decided to go forward with the Tableau tool. This will help the
organization optimize the progress and present the data through visualization
more effectively.
The company will now explore the Tableau tool, types of files, Tableau Public, and
Tableau Desktop.
Connect, Open, and Discover Sections
Discussion: Introduction to Tableau
Duration: 10 minutes
• What are the different types of file formats used to import data in
Tableau?
• How does Tableau outperform other data visualization and analytics
tools?
• What are data connectors?
Tableau
Tableau is a popular tool and is used widely in the industry.
• Tableau allows the evaluation of raw data in the
form of reports and graphs.
• One of the most significant aspects of Tableau is
data blending.
• Tableau helps in handling a large amount of data.
Tableau is a data visualization application that allows for advanced computing, data blending, and
dashboarding to create amazing data visualizations.
Tableau: Welcome Screen
Tableau Public is a free platform for exploring, creating, and sharing data visualizations.
When Tableau Public is accessed, the first screen to appear is Tableau Workspace (Welcome screen).
Tableau: Welcome Screen
Below are the three main components of the Welcome Screen:
Connect pane Open pane Discover pane
Discover Section
It helps one connect with the Tableau community and access training videos and blogs.
This section has two subsections, namely:
How-to Videos
Viz of the Day
Discover Section: How-to Videos
These are instructional videos that help end-users navigate the Tableau platform.
• Instructional videos are publicly available in the
resources section.
• When any video is clicked, it takes the user to the
resource page of Tableau.
Discover Section: Viz of the Day
It lists a few selected visuals for the day. The list changes daily, with different dashboards and stories.
It also has links to Tableau Public’s blogs.
Tableau Public’s blogs are a great source for gaining insights and information on
data visualization and Tableau.
Open Section
It shows the recently opened files along with sample dashboards.
The area will be empty if Tableau is opened for the first time,
as there may not be any recently opened files.
Connect Section
It is used to import data to create visuals.
Various data sources can be connected
through the pane visible on the left
of the screen.
The list of data sources is available under the To a File and Server categories.
Connect: Different Types of Files Used to Import Data
Connect Section
The connect section imports or connects to different types of files on a local
machine or a server.
Tableau supports different types of file formats, such as Microsoft Excel, text files, JSON files,
Microsoft Access, pdf files, spatial files, and statistical file formats.
Microsoft Excel File
Tableau supports different types of Excel files, including:
.xls .xlsx .xlsm
Text Files
The following are the different types of text files:
Comma separated values (.csv)
Tab-separated values (.tsv) Basic text files (.txt)
Tab-delimited data (.tab)
JSON Files
Tableau also supports the JavaScript object notation (JSON) file format.
• It transmits the data between a web application
and a server.
• To connect to the JSON file type in Tableau, select
Schema levels to view and analyze.
Seek Tableau's help to get a detailed understanding of working with JSON
files in Tableau.
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access manages large amounts of data that cannot be worked on
spreadsheet applications.
It is an information management tool, or a relational
database used for reporting and analysis.
It is used in Tableau when the size of the data is larger than a spreadsheet.
PDF Files
To connect a pdf file, specify the range of pages to be scanned for tables.
The tables will be scanned from left to right.
Tableau does not support right-to-left (RTL) languages and displays the data in
reverse order if imported.
Spatial Files
The different types of spatial files are:
Shapefiles GeoJSON files
MapInfo tables TopoJSON files
KML files Esri file Geodatabases
Statistical File Formats
The different types of statistical file formats are:
SPSS (.sav files)
SAS R (.rdata, .rda files)
Tableau reads data based on a file’s character encoding or information in an input file.
Data Connectors
Data Connectors
The data connectors used in Tableau simplify the process of accessing real-time
enterprise data.
Types of Connectors
The different types of connectors available in Tableau Public are as follows:
OData:
This is a powerful set of certified data connectors to access enterprise data.
Google Drive:
This connector in Tableau supports Google-shared drives.
Types of Connectors
The different types of connectors available in Tableau Public are as follows:
Google Sheets:
Google Sheets are connected to Tableau using a data connector.
Web Data Connector:
Web data connector provides accessible data connection over HTTP.
Introduction to Tableau Public and Tableau Desktop
Tableau
Tableau visualization software comes in two versions: free and premium.
Tableau
There are two versions of Tableau:
Tableau Tableau
Public Desktop
Free version Paid version
Tableau Public
Tableau Public is a free version of Tableau visualization software that offers
limited features.
It connects seamlessly to multiple types of data, like files and data connectors.
Tableau Public Feature
It builds visuals with public data for personal use.
It operates in a cloud server and does not provide integration with other
Tableau products.
It needs an internet connection.
It does not provide data privacy or security.
Tableau Desktop
Tableau Desktop is a fully loaded, paid developer version of Tableau visualization software.
• Offers many advantages, including better security and
the provision to work offline
• Connects seamlessly to different types of data
• Supports many file types
• Supports around 60 types of data connectors
• Is used by business organizations and teams for
building visuals
Tableau Desktop
It provides integration with two other Tableau products, namely:
Tableau Server Tableau Online
Tableau Public vs. Tableau Desktop
Difference between Tableau Public and Tableau Desktop:
Tableau Public Tableau Desktop
• Offers a free license • Offers a paid license
• Offers fewer file type and data • Offers more file type and data
connector type options connector type options
• Mandates files to be • Supports saving visuals in local
published online machines
Tableau Visualization Software
Tableau visualization software offers both free and paid versions.
However, in this course, visualizations are created with Tableau Public.
Discussion: Classical Architectures
Duration: 10 minutes
• What are the different types of file formats used to import data in
Tableau?
Answer: Tableau supports formats like Excel, CSV, Text files, JSON, statistical
files, databases, and cloud-based data sources for importing data.
• How does Tableau outperform other data visualization and analytics
tools?
Answer: Tableau differentiates itself by providing an intuitive interface,
extensive data connectivity options, advanced analytics features, and a
strong user community, making it a standout choice for data visualization
and analytics.
• What are data connectors?
Answer: Data connectors are software components or modules that
facilitate data integration and connectivity between different data sources
and applications.
Key Takeaways
The free version is called Tableau Public, and the paid version is
called Tableau Desktop.
The Connect section in the Tableau workspace is used to import
data.
The Open section shows recently worked Tableau workbooks.
The Discover section is composed of two subsections, namely, How-
to Videos and Viz of the Day.
Knowledge Check
Knowledge
Check
What are the sections present in the Tableau welcome screen?
1
A. Connect pane
B. Open pane
C. Discover pane
D. All of the above
Knowledge
Check
What are the sections present in the Tableau welcome screen?
1
A. Connect pane
B. Open pane
C. Discover pane
D. All of the above
The correct answer is D
After launching the Tableau window, the start page opens, which consists of three main components:
Connect pane, Open pane, and Discover pane.
Knowledge
Check
Which is the most significant aspect of Tableau?
2
A. Data blending
B. Data visualization
C. Data gathering
D. None of the above
Knowledge
Check
Which is the most significant aspect of Tableau?
2
A. Data blending
B. Data visualization
C. Data gathering
D. None of the above
The correct answer is A
The most significant aspect of Tableau is data blending.
Knowledge
Check
Which is the paid version of Tableau visualization software?
3
A. Tableau data blending
B. Tableau Public
C. Tableau Desktop
D. Data connectors
Knowledge
Check
Which is the paid version of Tableau visualization software?
3
A. Tableau data blending
B. Tableau Public
C. Tableau Desktop
D. Data connectors
The correct answer is C
Tableau Desktop is a fully loaded paid developer version of Tableau visualization software.
Thank You
