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What is Tableau?

Tableau, Tableau Software’s popular visual analytics platform, offers users access to tools and features that aid in data exploration, management, and processing, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of making business decisions. Analysts and other data science professionals rely on Tableau to access data and create compelling visualizations. Individuals in data-related fields have praised Tableau’s user-friendly interface and detailed insights. The easy integration of data through Data Cloud for Tableau, along with other features offered, has made Tableau a go-to software for companies looking to improve their data management.

Founded originally as a computer science project, Tableau’s creators intended for it to improve the flow of analysis and data accessibility through data visualization. Since its founding, Tableau has quickly grown to a network of products that people and organizations use to become more data-driven. The support capabilities offered by the company have expanded as well, helping Tableau become a leader in analytics.

What Can You Do with Tableau Training?

Tableau is used by data science professionals, analysts, and others interested in exploring data visualization, to analyze data and craft graphical representations of that data. Tableau provides users with tools to generate charts, reports, and visualizations, along with sharing tools. Tableau Online, Server, and Reader present users with options to share their work and dashboards with team members. Additionally, Tableau offers package-based subscriptions for teams, which include a variety of Tableau tools frequently used in collaborative work, and individual pricing for Tableau Creator.

With its many tools, Tableau aims to help users consolidate data in one place to aid in the making of data-driven business decisions, whether they’re related to budgets, marketing campaigns, or another data-focused area. Assisting in the consolidation process is Tableau’s extracting and blending functions, which allow users to bring in data from a variety of sources into one main source.

Users have praised the accessibility of Tableau, which does not require the use of coding. Data visualizations created in other programs often require knowledge of one or several programming languages, but Tableau requires users to rely on their analytical mind and motivation to learn its tools and functions. The lack of need for coding also makes it accessible to team members with a variety of technical skills who can all work on the same project thanks to the software’s accessibility.

What Will I Learn in a Tableau Class?

Enrolling in a Tableau class will teach you the fundamentals of the software and help you understand how to achieve the best possible data visualizations. Beginner-level classes focus on building essential skills and familiarizing students with the software’s tools. You can expect to begin a class learning about datasets and how they work before moving on to exploring, analyzing, and structuring data to help create the visualizations you need. Additionally, Tableau classes prepare students for real-world work by guiding them through hands-on activities and projects, some of which are collaborative.

At the end of a Tableau class, you should feel prepared to create data visualizations on your own and make structured, data-driven business decisions upon analyzing your work. Core skills students can expect to learn include data comprehension, data visualization, Tableau Server, custom chart creation, and communication and teamwork skills.

Data Comprehension

Data comprehension is at the core of understanding how to use Tableau. You’ll have a difficult time trying to use Tableau if you don’t understand what the data you’re working with means. Taking a beginner-level course will walk you through the basics of comprehending the data you’re working with in Tableau and how to best represent it graphically. Comprehending data before working heavily with the software is essential because Tableau allows users to blend data from a variety of sources. Learning what your data means early on will set you up to successfully work with data throughout the remainder of your course or bootcamp.

Data Visualization

Data visualization is one of the core functions of Tableau. Most Tableau classes and bootcamps spend a substantial amount of time covering the basics of data visualization with Tableau and guiding students through the many different types of graphs accessible to the software’s users. Once you have a strong understanding of data visualization with Tableau, you can enroll in an intermediate or advanced-level Tableau class to learn how to take your visualizations to the next level.

Tableau Server

Tableau Software introduced Tableau Server as a comprehensive server component to the software that can aid teams and organizations in their projects. Organizations can download Tableau Server on-premises and use it to host and manage their Tableau reporting environment within their infrastructure. With Server installed, teams can collaborate through a centralized management interface, including accessing workspaces, publishing reports and dashboards, and sharing work.

Organizations have a variety of purchasing options for Tableau Server, as do individuals. Tableau offers annual billing for Tableau Creator, Explorer, and Viewer. Additionally, organizations can explore their embedded analytics options and contact them if interested in these features.

Tableau classes structured for aspiring analysts or those already working as a data science professional usually cover Tableau Server. Typically, these courses cover the fundamentals of Tableau before providing students lessons in Tableau Server and preparing them for working with Tableau in a team environment.

Creating Custom Charts

Tableau classes instruct students on how to create custom charts using the software. This lesson typically occurs near the end of a class, as students work on more intermediate-level skills and functions. Setting up custom visuals in Tableau requires users to learn how to set up extensions and integrate data visualization libraries. A beginner-level course will cover the basics of doing so, while more advanced classes may focus on the different charting libraries available to users.

Communication & Teamwork

Data Analysts and others in the data science field require technical skills along with the ability to work with a team. They need excellent communication and teamwork skills because there is a high chance that they will need to communicate and work with a team on projects, whether frequently or infrequently. This requires them to know how to communicate project expectations, scheduling, and results, all of which necessitate strong communication. Tableau classes prepare students for this hands-on work by crafting projects that mimic real-life situations students may face once they begin working in a team environment.

How Hard is it to Learn Tableau?

People consider Tableau a relatively easy software for beginners to learn, but the difficulty level of effectively using it varies from person to person. Tableau’s reputation as easy to learn is largely thanks to its user-friendly interface. Data science professionals consider it intuitive to those new to the world of data visualization, with features like drag-and-drop functionality aiding in the use of the software resulting in no need for coding.

How difficult you find learning Tableau will largely depend on how much time you can dedicate to learning and practicing. Individuals who can spend more time working with Tableau are likely to learn the ins and outs of the program more quickly than those who have less time to devote to learning. The modality of learning also greatly affects how quickly one picks up Tableau. Self-teaching is ideal for those with a busy schedule, but taking a Tableau class where an expert instructor can answer questions and students follow a structured curriculum allows for a faster, more thorough learning experience.

What are the most challenging parts of learning Tableau?

After developing foundational skills in Tableau, students can opt to learn intermediate and advanced-level skills. Learning concepts like modeling, geospatial analysis, and LOD expressions can benefit Tableau users, but individuals unfamiliar with data visualization may find these concepts difficult to begin learning. One of the most challenging parts of learning Tableau is understanding data visualization as a process, particularly for those who have not used other data visualization software before. After overcoming this challenge, learning Tableau can become much easier for beginners.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Tableau?

Like most active software that receives updates, learning Tableau never really stops. With updates, users may find themselves learning about new features and tools provided with the software depending on the version they subscribe to. Users have reported spending roughly two to six months learning the fundamentals of Tableau along with the more specialized concepts required for their work. You can enroll in a Tableau class to learn the essentials of using Tableau or a short-term bootcamp to learn essential and intermediate-level skills.

Becoming an expert in Tableau takes six months or longer. This includes mastering the essentials of Tableau along with intermediate and advanced-level skills. Long-term bootcamps provide students with in-depth Tableau training that covers a range of Tableau features and tools and, oftentimes, includes several projects for students to work on during the length of the bootcamp.

Should I Learn Tableau In Person or Online?

Enroll in a Tableau class today to get started learning the fundamentals of the software and prepare yourself for a lucrative career in data analysis. One of the most important steps in getting started with learning Tableau is choosing whether to learn in person or online.

Prospective learners have the option of enrolling in in-person or online Tableau classes. Expert class instructors lead students through short or long-term classes that cover beginner, intermediate, and advanced-level Tableau. Courses and bootcamps may include supplemental material, homework, projects, and even career preparation services. Training centers and schools host in-person Tableau classes at their buildings or computer labs, while online classes take place remotely.

In-person Tableau classes follow a structured curriculum and take place in a traditional classroom setting. These classes offer familiarity to learners who prefer learning face-to-face with their peers. Some on-site training centers allow students access to computer labs, although some may request that students bring their computers to class. By attending an in-person Tableau course, students will have the opportunity to ask their instructor for direct feedback, to work closely with their classmates, and to receive in-depth demonstrations.

If you’re interested in attending an in-person Tableau class, check out Noble Desktop’s Classes Near Me tool to see where you can attend a class in your area.

Online classes provide a great learning opportunity for students who cannot attend in-person classes, whether it's because they can’t fit a class into their schedule, or because they cannot commute to the class. Online Tableau classes come in live online and asynchronous formats.

Live online Tableau classes function similarly to in-person classes. A live instructor leads students through the fundamentals of Tableau and guides them through hands-on activities and projects. However, unlike an in-person class, live online Tableau classes take place over web conferencing platforms. Students will meet in a virtual classroom during the weekend, in the evenings, or on weekends, and interact with their instructor and peers remotely. This is a convenient learning alternative for students who cannot commute to an in-person class or would like the freedom to learn from the comfort of their home or office.

For students with packed schedules who need to find their own time to learn Tableau, schools offer asynchronous Tableau courses. Asynchronous classes take place online, like live online classes, but without a live component. Instead, students will work through provided material, including video lectures, readings, and/or worksheets, and learn Tableau with little assistance. This learning option allows students who don’t have the time to attend a class the opportunity to learn Tableau. However, asynchronous courses provide little instructor support, making them best suited for motivated students who don’t mind learning on their own.

The type of course you enroll in influences the difficulty you face when learning Tableau as well as how long it takes. In-person classes provide the most structured learning experience, followed by live online courses. Students enrolled in these types of classes tend to learn faster than those enrolled in asynchronous classes. Before enrolling in a course, it’s important for learners to carefully consider their learning needs, how quickly they’d like to learn Tableau, their schedule, and their ability to commute to a class.

Can I Learn Tableau Free Online?

Individuals interested in learning Tableau have access to free resources online. Experts have uploaded instructional video guides on YouTube and general information and troubleshooting resources to blogs and web pages. Additionally, open-access ebooks can help beginners get started with learning the basics of Tableau. These free resources complement formal classes well, as students can familiarize themselves with data visualization as a concept before enrolling in an instructor-led course where they’ll have access to an expert to ask questions and receive feedback.

What Should I Learn Alongside Tableau?

Data science professionals and individuals interested in working with data typically learn programming before, during, or after learning Tableau. They use programming languages to assist in data visualization and analysis. Understanding how to code in languages such as SQL, Python, and R opens them up to related careers and interests that they may not have discovered otherwise. Tableau learners typically turn to these three languages because they’re some of the most common programming languages used for data visualization, and they’re considered some of the more beginner-friendly languages.

SQL

Structured Query Language, or SQL for short, is used to access, organize, and analyze data. Data science professionals rely on SQL to aggregate data, explore information stored in databases, and create visualizations that aid in the communication of data findings. SQL is frequently used by data scientists and analysts in the tech, healthcare, and finance industries to produce data-driven solutions to specialized problems. To get started with SQL, students can enroll in an SQL bootcamp that will teach them how to rely on SQL’s insights for decision-making.

Python

Python is a programming language that has earned a positive reputation for its ease of use. Data science professionals use Python for web development, data engineering, machine learning, and data science. The general-purpose, object-oriented language contains a plethora of libraries and frameworks that have popularized it among data scientists. Additionally, Python can handle large volumes of data. Although Python is one of the easier-to-learn programming languages, mastering Python can take quite some time for individuals beginning with no prior hands-on experience.

Students interested in the fundamentals of Python can enroll in Noble Desktop’s Python for Data Science Bootcamp. The bootcamp explores the fundamentals of Python before offering students lessons on intermediate and advanced-level skills.

R

R is a language and environment used by data scientists to handle, store, and analyze data. The language is popular among not only data scientists but also academic researchers who use R to investigate research questions and communicate their findings via data visualizations. With RStudio, the graphical user interface used for R, users can conduct time analysis, cluster analysis, and linear modeling. Interested learners can enroll in an R bootcamp to learn the fundamentals of R and RStudio.

Industries that Use Tableau

Interested in using Tableau to kick-start a career in data science? Industries around the country look for talented data science professionals with experience using data visualization software like Tableau. Compiling, extracting, and analyzing data has become integral to several major industries to keep up with trends, solve problems, and generate business solutions. Find out about how Tableau is being used by financial services companies, in the healthcare industry, across the public sector, and in communications below.

Financial Services

In 2020, finance and insurance companies represented 8.3% of US GDP. This high-growth sector has led to a substantial increase in economic activity and jobs created across the United States. Financial services institutions rely on data analysis and reports for a wide range of activities, including addressing credit risk and customer satisfaction, analyzing accounts receivable, and producing reports to analyze internal expenses.

Healthcare

As we move past the pandemic, the healthcare industry has begun to recover from previous labor shortages. Experts expect continued growth in outpatient settings, like physician offices and ambulatory surgery centers, within healthcare software and platforms businesses, and pharmacy services.

Tableau is integral to carrying out a range of healthcare services. From large hospitals to urgent care centers to physician offices, the healthcare industry has used Tableau to assess supply chains. With Tableau, users can track data to ensure the efficient and timely arrival of medications, vaccines, and medical devices for their patients. Like many other industries, the healthcare industry also uses Tableau to assess costs, in addition to turnaround time between patients by analyzing potential interruptions in healthcare.

Public Sector

When considering the public sector, focus often ends up concentrated on Washington, D.C., although the public sector plays a vital role in the upkeep of states, cities, municipalities, and counties. Public sector employees teach children, fight fires, and carry out administrative work in city hall. They have a wide range of responsibilities unique to their missions and everyday work. Tableau Software is working to help individuals working in the public sector advance their missions and carry out the work more easily and efficiently. Data visualizations and data extraction tools in Tableau allow civil servants to track program progress, establish ways to increase program engagement, accelerate mission-critical insights, and improve the overall quality of their services. Teachers in the public sector, for example, can rely on Tableau as a learning tool in the classroom and as a means of gaining insight into classroom analytics.

Communications

The communications industry plays an important role in the US economy. Experts expect revenue in the communications services market to reach $337 billion in 2024. From 2024-2028, experts expect the industry to see a 1.43% annual growth rate in revenue. Tableau makes business easier for communications companies. Specifically, Tableau offers them media analytics and CRM analytics which they use to gain new audiences, track customer churn and sales performance, and assess risk indicators.

Tableau Job Titles and Salaries

Looking to begin a career in data science? Take the first step by learning Tableau--focus on data comprehension and the levels of analysis that Tableau allows users to complete through data visualization. Experts in Tableau, who understand how to work with data and software like Tableau, can work in a range of analyst positions across industries.

Data Analyst

Companies hire Data Analysts to summarize data for the company as well as analyze and visualize it so that other departments in the organization can make data-driven decisions, from finance to marketing. Data Analysts are skilled in analyzing data, so they must have strong critical thinking skills. They also frequently communicate their analysis to a variety of people, making it important for them to be excellent communicators.

Data Analysts can find jobs across sectors, particularly in the healthcare industry, helping hospitals and healthcare facilities make decisions that will lead to better and more efficient services for patients. In the US, Data Analysts make an average annual salary of $77,500. This salary depends on location, as cities with higher costs of living will pay higher, and years of experience.

Financial Analyst

Interested in analyzing financial risk and market trends? Consider a career as a Financial Analyst. Financial Analysts analyze financial data for banks, insurance companies, investment houses, finance companies, and others in the industry. Besides assessing risk and predicting investment opportunities, Financial Analysts may also provide their companies with an assessment of the organization’s performance.

The salary for a Financial Analyst depends on what type of financial services company they work for. Financial Analysts make an average salary of $90,500 per year. Working in a financial capital, like New York City, also impacts pay.

Business Analyst

Like other analyst positions, Business Analysts provide companies with an analysis of their business problems and propose solutions based on data. However, this role emphasizes skills in business, technology, and project management. Business Analysts must have the necessary skills to solve problems and communicate actionable solutions to their company. Some of these decisions will depend on their knowledge and understanding of technology. To qualify for a Business Analyst position, some companies require IIBA certification.

The average annual salary of a Business Analyst in the US is $83,000, with over $8,000 in additional cash compensation. According to Builtin, Business Analyst positions in San Francisco and Colorado pay 18% higher than the national average.

Marketing Analyst

Data analysis skills translate well to Marketing Analyst positions. Marketing Analysts analyze the market that their company is in, helping its marketing department decide on and implement marketing campaigns. The data that a Marketing Analyst works with can help companies determine what audiences they need to target and how they can do that. Marketing Analysts may also work on optimizing marketing campaigns directly, so they must understand the basic principles of marketing.

Marketing Analysts have the option of working at a marketing agency and conducting an analysis for clients or working for a large corporation. The path they decide to take will determine their annual salary. In the US, this position averages between $51,000 and $68,000 per year.

Tableau Classes Near Me

Enroll in an in-person or online Tableau class to gain a foundational understanding of the software, learn how to create an array of graphical data representations, and gain hands-on experience with real-world projects that will improve your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Noble Desktop: Tableau Certification Program

Become a certified Tableau Desktop Specialist with Noble Desktop’s hands-on Tableau Certification Program. This 12-hour live online program covers beginner-level through advanced-level Tableau skills. The program includes two Tableau courses with lessons on the Tableau interface and creating simple charts, as well as more intermediate and advanced-level lessons, that instruct students on mapping data and creating Dashboards and Stories.

In addition to two Tableau courses, tuition includes six hours of private Tableau tutoring. This is 1-on-1 tutoring where you’ll have the opportunity to receive feedback on your work and ask for in-depth demonstrations and explanations of topics of interest. This private tutoring intends to help further prepare you to take the Tableau Desktop Specialist certification exam. The program includes the exam and a free retake. If you don’t intend to take the exam, Noble Desktop will instead schedule you for an extra hour of private tutoring.

Noble Desktop: Tableau Bootcamp

Noble Desktop also offers a 12-hour live online and in-person Tableau for Data Visualization Bootcamp. The beginning of the bootcamp focuses on data comprehension and ensuring that students understand how to identify data sets. After that portion of the bootcamp, students will work under the instruction of an expert, learning to create maps, charts, graphs, and other visualizations commonly created in Tableau. The first portion of the bootcamp concludes with lessons on calculating in Tableau and working toward publishing visualizations. Part two of Noble Desktop’s Tableau bootcamp focuses on advanced-level work, including mapping with the software. The last section of the bootcamp covers more advanced-level visualizations, including dual-axis charts.

This is a hands-on bootcamp intended to help students learn while working on real-world projects to prepare them for a job working with data. An individual project makes up much of the curriculum. This project provides students with data or allows them to use their own to create data visualizations, such as bar charts, heat maps, or geographical maps.

Tuition is $499 and is due before class begins. The in-person course is available at Noble Desktop’s NYC location and the live online course takes place via a web conferencing platform. After the course has ended, students have the chance to retake it for free within one year.

NYIM Training: Tableau Level I

Looking for a short training class in Tableau? NYIM Training’s Tableau Level I course is a six-hour live online class that covers the basics of the data visualization software. Over those six hours, students will learn about data visualization as a concept and work with Tableau Public, the free online version of Tableau. Lessons cover the essentials of comprehending data sets before allowing students to explore, analyze, filter, and structure data to create informative visualizations. Students learn how to use several advanced Tableau tools near the end of the course.

NYIM Training offers Tableau Level II, which students may enroll in after completing Tableau Level I. This course helps students take Tableau to the next level, as they work on customizing visuals and gain hands-on experience creating maps that will represent geographical data. To save 15% on tuition and combine Tableau I and Tableau II, enroll in NYIM Training’s Tableau Bootcamp.

Certstaffix Training: Tableau Desktop - Basic Course

Cerstaffix Training offers a variety of training options in Tableau. The course Tableau Desktop - Basic, is a two-day live online beginner-level class. Learn the fundamentals of data visualization in this course as the instructor guides the class through exploring, connecting to, and transforming data. Cerstaffix balances a range of beginner-level topics over the two days, giving students room to explore each concept thoroughly and gain hands-on experience.

Continue learning the essentials of Tableau in Cerstaffix’s Tableau Desktop - Advanced Course. Here, students will cover Tableau Prep, Tableau Software’s data exploration and preparation tool. This tool makes it easier and faster for users to combine, shape, and clean data. After completing the basic and advanced courses, Certstaffix Training encourages students to register for Tableau’s Qualified Associate Certification exam.

Businesses have the option of scheduling onsite Tableau training with Certstaffix Training at a group rate in qualifying locations. Private online training is available for groups too. These training options allow companies to ensure their employees receive thorough Tableau training following their schedule.

Computer Training Source: Tableau Part 1 and Tableau Part 2

Computer Training Source’s two-part Tableau series, Tableau Part 1 and Tableau Part 2, cover beginner to advanced Tableau skills. Students will learn about data visualization as a concept in Tableau Part 1, where they’ll create visualizations and dashboards, begin mapping, and share insights. In Tableau Part 2, students will take these skills to the next level as they learn about more advanced graphical representations in Tableau, including whisker plots and combination charts. Students can expect to gain experience with Tableau Server, Online, Public, and Reader.

The live online courses take place in an online classroom, each lasting seven hours. You may enroll directly with Computer Training Source, or sign up on CourseHorse for a 10% discount on your first class.

Ledet Training: Tableau 101

Tableau 101, a two-day class held by Ledet Training, covers the fundamentals of Tableau. This course is best suited for beginner and intermediate-level Tableau users who would like to immerse themselves in a hands-on learning experience. An instructor will cover essential terminology and core concepts as students work with the software and learn how to use filters, measures, and dimensions as they simplify and organize their data. The course also covers mapping. During this lesson, students will learn how to break down their data into heat maps, geographical maps, and cross tabs.

No previous experience is required to enroll in Tableau 101. Data science professionals and those with some Tableau experience are welcome to enroll to refresh their skills. After completing Tableau 101, students can enroll in Tableau 201: Tableau Advanced. Tableau Advanced teaches students how to do advanced calculations, table calculations, parameters, and advanced mapping techniques in Tableau. Ledet Training also offers Tableau 501: Tableau Bootcamp for students who would prefer to work their way from beginner to advanced level Tableau.

Tableau 101 is available live online and in five cities across the US. Ledet Training also encourages companies to reach out about the possibility of onsite training. These private training sessions are available at Ledet Training, in a rental classroom, and on-site at the interested organization depending on location.

ONLC Training Centers: Tableau Desktop Level 1

ONLC Training Centers’ three-day Tableau Desktop Level 1 is one of the company’s most popular classes. ONLC structured the course to help students expand their skill sets and develop a sharp and professional approach to their organization. Beginners are welcome to enroll as are professionals looking for a refresher.

Tableau Desktop Level 1 covers the fundamentals of Tableau. Students learn the cycle of analytics, how to connect to data, and visualize data. Over the three days, students will work extensively in the program gaining hands-on experience. As the course progresses, lessons turn more advanced, with students learning how to create visualizations that require dates and times and visualizations that compare different measures.

To enroll in this course, students must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including the use of Pivot Tables and calculations in Excel. Upon completing the course, students will then have the skills and knowledge necessary to enroll in the Tableau Desktop Specialist Exam. Experienced IT professionals who need a level 1 course in Tableau but require a faster-paced class because of their prior and related knowledge are welcome to enroll in ONLC’s Tableau Desktop Level 1: Introduction for Experienced IT Professionals.

University of Central Florida: Data Science Bootcamp

The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a comprehensive, 24-week Data Science Bootcamp. This bootcamp provides students training in Tableau and other data science software and programming languages. The bootcamp is part-time and live online. Students will spend nine hours in live classes each week and over 20 hours per week completing homework and projects, emphasizing the hands-on nature of the bootcamp.

As part of this program, students will work on developing the skills they need to work as a data science professional and will work on their career development. The bootcamp's curriculum covers topics like VBA scripting in Excel, APIs, and geomapping. Module five, which covers machine learning and other advanced topics, has students working with Tableau Hadoop. In this module, students can expect to understand new and in-demand topics and tools in the world of data science.

The bootcamp culminates in a module that requires students to work in small groups to create a data visualization application. The skills learned throughout the bootcamp prepare students for this real-world project. In addition to technical skill development, students have access to 24/7 on-demand learning assistance, 1-on-1 tutoring access, and access to the school’s Career Engagement Network where they’ll receive help in developing their portfolios and resumes.

Tableau Corporate Training

Looking to schedule Tableau training for your team? Noble Desktop offers corporate training options for organizations interested in using Tableau. Employees can enroll in private group classes on-site or at Noble’s Midtown Manhattan campus. They provide an extensive list of existing courses to choose from, as well as a custom course option.

Flexible scheduling options allow your team to attend a course during the times that best suit their schedules. Group classes booked for corporate training include discounted group class vouchers to make billing and logistics simple for you.

Noble Desktop encourages you to schedule a free instructor to help you plan. You may also reach out to corporate@nobledesjtop.com to learn more about your corporate training options.

What is Tableau?

In today’s data-driven world, Data Scientists and Data Analysts must be able to take immense amounts of raw data and present it in such a way that communicates a coherent narrative about that data. While collecting data is essential to many different projects, it is equally important that that data can be distilled into an understandable and easy-to-grasp visualization for the sake of non-experts. This is where data visualization tools like Tableau come into play.

Tableau is one of the most popular data visualization tools available to consumers. It is one of the most commonly used tools for producing professional charts, graphs, and data maps. The main reason that Tableau is so popular is that it is an easy-to-use tool that has the depth of features required for professional data analysis projects. With a robust dashboard feature and a wide array of visualization tools, Tableau allows users to create complex, multi-faceted visualizations of complex data points that can be rhetorically persuasive and impactful. Another major strength of using Tableau is that it doesn’t require users to have any programming experience. However, knowledge of programming languages can help make the data collection aspect of using Tableau easier.

Why Learn Tableau?

Tableau enables you to create stunning data visualizations to illustrate data patterns. Why does that matter? Because data analytics is a crucial tool for driving business forecasting, analysis, and financial optimizations. In the practical world, data is useless if non-expert stakeholders can’t make sense of it. Learning Tableau gives you a skill set with unquestionable value since you can take your complex data analysis projects and transform them into persuasive, rhetorically compelling visualizations that tell an audience exactly what they need to know about the data you’ve collected.

Tableau is also an essential tool in almost every data analytics-driven career path. Businesses in virtually every industry collect vast amounts of data concerning their internal operations and consumer behaviors. They are paying a great deal of attention to how that data can be used to improve performance. Tools like Tableau allow analysts to easily translate this data into actionable insights that stakeholders can use to inform future business decisions.

Variety of Features

One major strength of Tableau is that it allows users to easily create various data visualizations without needing to learn how to code. Tableau enables users to create simple charts and graphs and examine data trends over time. Users can make maps using geographic data and easily create dual-axis charts to present how multiple data points relate to one another. Data visualizations can be constructed dynamically, allowing users to add more information to their datasets, causing the visualizations to update the dashboard automatically. With additional Tableau training, students can even learn to create custom charts that blend together the different kinds of data visualization tools that exist within Tableau. No matter what kind of chart, graph, map, or other data visualization project an organization needs, Tableau is an ideal tool to help make the process effective and efficient.

Ease of Use

One of the reasons that Tableau is becoming so popular is that it is an incredibly versatile tool that doesn’t require much prerequisite knowledge to use. Tableau is the perfect introduction to data science because its user interface is incredibly simple. Users can create dashboards with ease—no coding is necessary. Learning Tableau will have you creating stunning visualizations of data in a short amount of time. So long as you have access to the data, Tableau can handle the technical aspects of translating that data into a visual display that communicates essential information.

Tableau allows even non-technical users to create graphs, charts, and other visualizations. It can handle large amounts of data from multiple sources, a game-changer for most business analysts, journalists, and entrepreneurs. Users can produce graphs alongside one another to create significant comparisons, and they can present different kinds of charts simultaneously to provide much-needed context to the data you are presenting. Tableau is also system agnostic, meaning you can pull data from Quickbooks and Google Sheets with their simple user interface. You don’t need specific programs to collect important data, making Tableau an even more versatile tool.

Tableau or Microsoft Power BI?

In business intelligence software, there are only two significant players in the game: Tableau and Microsoft Power BI. While Power BI is more well-established than Tableau, Tableau has grown dramatically in recent years. This means that students might be interested in learning more about their options before they commit to a business intelligence training program.

Tableau’s primary strengths lie in its ease of use since it allows users to easily create complex, multi-chart visualizations with its robust dashboard-building capabilities. Power BI does have an easy-to-use dashboard interface, but Tableau offers a broader range of functionalities and more intuitive processes for building complex visualizations. Tableau is also not produced by Microsoft and therefore isn’t restricted to use on Microsoft devices, which can be an important selling point for users. Tableau also works better with extensive datasets, though Power BI is no slouch in this department.

Power BI benefits significantly from its integration with other Microsoft services, particularly its Azure web services. Tableau lacks direct integration with commonly used BI tools and Microsoft Office programs, which can greatly expand the work you can do with Power BI. Power BI is also cheaper than Tableau, though both products have robust free versions of the application. Power BI is likely preferable if you take advantage of its integration with other Microsoft products and services. To learn more about this data visualization tool, please visit Noble’sLearn Power BI page.

Tableau Careers

There’s no question that learning Tableau is a solid long-term investment for any career that involves data. As more and more businesses are becoming aware of the importance of data collection and analysis, there are more and more career opportunities open for skilled analysts who can use tools like Tableau to visualize this data in a way that allows stakeholders to make informed and actionable decisions. While commonly associated with business analytics, data analytics tools are essential for every industry, from shipping logistics and entertainment to healthcare and professional sports. Those who enjoy working with data can find a job in virtually any industry.

Some of the most popular Tableau-related careers nationwide focus on data and business analytics. Nationally, these careers are in high demand as businesses look to modernize their operations with the help of data analysis. According to recent figures from Indeed and Glassdoor, such positions can pay anywhere from $67,000 to $94,000 annually nationwide, depending on the region and company involved.

Tableau is especially useful for anyData Analyst, as it is the fastest-growing tool for business intelligence across all industries. It’s in demand by employers in every sector that performs data analysis because it helps bridge the gap between technical analysts and the less- or non-technical managers who need to make business decisions. In particular,Business Analysts andInvestment Analysts will find Tableau invaluable for communicating important financial information to clients and stakeholders who may not be well-versed in complex data analytic processes. Whether you are charting business growth, isolating variables to help communicate what aspects of your business have been most successful, or building models to predict the future state of the market, Tableau will ensure that you are able to transform your data into understandable visualizations.

Journalists are also quickly jumping onto the Tableau train. Over 300,000 Data Journalists and Bloggers use Tableau Public, a free version of Tableau. It’s a valuable tool for sharing public data and other information described in their writing. Data visualizations are an essential rhetorical tool that helps journalists communicate with a mass audience. It can be challenging to understand the scope and implications of data points through the written word alone, and Tableau can turn this data into an easy-to-understand chart or graphic that can be added to a post with minimal effort. The fact that this requires no coding knowledge is incredibly useful for journalists and other public communicators since it makes the process much easier.

Similarly, anyone working in a public outreach capacity, advocacy organization, or political campaign will likely benefit from learning how to use Tableau. Data visualizations are a powerful persuasive tool, and anyone hoping to communicate with a mass audience may find that turning complex data into an easily digestible chart or graph is an excellent way to improve audience engagement. Tableau is also helpful in this capacity because it can be used to create visually appealing and evocative data visualizations.

Tableau Prerequisites

Before learning Tableau, an individual must be comfortable using a computer of course. Tableau can be used on a Mac or Windows PC, so familiarity with either is necessary. Some classes exclusively use one operating system or the other, so students must check the prerequisites of specific courses to ensure they have the knowledge to meet these prerequisites.

As an all-inclusive data visualization program, Tableau requires no previous experience or knowledge to be understood. However, a background in IT can undoubtedly be helpful in grasping the functionality of the program and learning to navigate it and put it to use efficiently. Specifically, knowledge of the fundamental concepts of data can benefit learners. Experience using Excel can also be beneficial, as the applications hold several similarities. Prior knowledge of SQL can enable a Tableau student to utilize the program with databases using the language.

Is It Worth It to Attend a Tableau Class?

If an individual already has experience in data visualization or other related areas of IT, they may be able to teach themselves Tableau. However, virtually anyone new to the program—whether they have related knowledge or not—will benefit from taking a Tableau class, course, or bootcamp. Certainly, those brand new to the process of data visualization will find the structure of a class curriculum, and set schedule will speed up their learning process immensely while also increasing their confidence that they are learning the program inside and out.

The many different tools and functions of Tableau can make the program intimidating to learn by oneself, so having an expert instructor who can offer guidance through the processes and answer questions as they arise can be immensely helpful for any student. Many classes, including those provided by Noble Desktop, include hands-on projects and exercises that make the learning process experiential, increasing retention and learning speed. Immediate feedback on this work from a live instructor can make a significant difference in the student’s Tableau education.

Finally, a unique benefit to taking a Tableau class over learning the program online is the ability to list the class as an educational experience on a resume or LinkedIn when searching for a job. Tableau students can look for courses that offer a certificate of completion, which can be listed on a resume or linked to profiles to verify that a job candidate has the dedication and work ethic to invest the time, money, and effort to learn Tableau in an in-person or online classroom setting.

What Tableau Training Program is Right for Me?

Students interested in learning Tableau have a wide range of training options available. These include in-person, live online, or asynchronous self-paced online courses. Each course will differ in its curriculum and delivery method, so students are encouraged to explore the options available to master this in-demand data visualization tool. To assist students in choosing the best class for them, Noble Desktop provides a Classes in Your Area tool that allows users to search and compare Tableau classes available virtually or in-person.

In-Person Tableau Classes

Many students prefer to learn new skills in a live classroom environment. In-person learning comes with many advantages, the most notable being the presence of a live instructor that students can interact with directly. Learning a new skill can be challenging, so having access to a professional instructor who can answer questions and provide feedback on hands-on work can go a long way to ensuring a student’s success.

Students enrolled in live in-person courses will also be able to work alongside a cohort of like-minded students and even work on collaborative projects with their classmates. These courses tend to be restricted in terms of location offerings since you can only attend a training seminar at a facility to which you can travel. Also, while students can take advantage of a training center’s hardware and software, they will need to travel to the school, which can be an additional cost.

Live Online Tableau Classes

Students who want to learn Tableau but can’t or don’t want to commute to a training center may want to consider enrolling in a live online training program. In addition to offering learners the same high standard of education one would typically associate with in-person learning, virtual classes allow learners to attend lessons and complete assignments from their home or location of choice. This makes these classes the perfect choice for professionals looking to balance a busy schedule with their learning journey.

Students who sign up for live online Tableau classes still have the advantage of learning from a live instructor who is present to provide them with feedback and assistance. They can also look for schools that offer small class sizes designed to ensure students have the individual attention they need. Students will need to provide their own technology, which may require them to purchase a paid subscription to Tableau. However, many tech schools offer set-up assistance and other services to help ease students into online instruction.

As a leading provider of tech education for over thirty years, Noble Desktop is proud to offervirtual Tableau classes at a variety of time commitment levels. For example, in addition to single classes likeTableau Level 1, Noble Desktop also provides a comprehensiveTableau Bootcamp that offers learners everything they need to know to start mastering the program.

Noble Desktop’s affiliate companies also offer Tableau training. NYIM Training’s Tableau classes include two levels of Tableau training, whileNYC Career Centers’ Tableau classes include a Data Analytics Bootcamp that covers the software and other data analytics fundamentals.

Asynchronous Online Tableau Classes

Students who need a more flexible learning experience may prefer to enroll in an asynchronous online Tableau class. Other terms for asynchronous classes are on-demand or self-paced. Since these classes lack live instructors, students will be free to pick up and put down their lessons as they see fit. This flexibility in scheduling can make the courses invaluable to students with work or family obligations that prevent them from enrolling in a live class. However, since these courses lack live instructors, there won’t be anyone around to answer questions or provide assistance if a student gets stuck, meaning that students may be left on their own if a problem arises.

Tableau Bootcamps and Certificate Programs

A Tableau bootcamp can be the ideal solution for individuals who desire to gain an advanced mastery of Tableau but are beginning with little to no experience with the application. These bootcamps are often packages of two or more Tableau courses, such as Noble Desktop’s Tableau Bootcamp, that offer both convenience and discount in your Tableau learning journey. Tableau bootcamps can be available live online, in-person, or both, like Noble’s program.

Those who would like to learn Tableau as part of their preparation for a new career may benefit most from a comprehensive bootcamp or certificate program including Tableau as one of its modules or topics. Noble Desktop’s Data Analytics Certificate is an example of this type of training program. These career-focused certificate programs function similarly to an extremely streamlined university degree, culminating in the award of a verified certificate of completion that fills a role much like a diploma on a job candidate’s resume.

Corporate & Onsite Tableau Training

Workplaces that offer Tableau classes to employees can benefit from improved data visualizations in presentations, reports, and other contexts. Noble Desktop offersonsite and virtual corporate training sessions in Tableau, perfect for helping teams get up to speed on the software. In addition to these opportunities, businesses can also enroll their employees in Noble Desktop’s regular Tableau training by purchasing group vouchers at a discount. Please contact Noble Desktop to learn more about arranging Tableau classes for your business.

Best Tableau Classes & Schools

Noble Desktop provides users with a detailed Classes Near Me search tool to help prospective students find and compare their options for live in-person and online Tableau courses in their area. The following is a list of some of the top Tableau training programs available today.

Tableau Bootcamp - Noble Desktop

Location: Hosted at Noble Desktop's NYC location (185 Madison Ave) and available live online, the bootcamp caters to local and remote learners.
Audience & Prerequisites: Tailored for beginners, the course requires no prior Tableau experience, making it ideal for anyone with basic computer skills looking to learn data visualization.
Course Content: Students learn to transform raw data into various visual forms like charts, graphs, and maps using Tableau, focusing on practical applications and real-world datasets.
Format & Duration: The program combines 12 hours of instruction over two-weekday sessions, combining Noble's Tableau I and II courses.
Additional Benefits: Participants receive a proprietary workbook and the option to retake the course within a year. A verified certificate is also awarded to those who complete the course.
Cost and Payment: This bootcamp is priced at $499, due in full before the start date.

Tableau Level I - Noble Desktop

Location: Offered at Noble Desktop’s NYC location and online, this course is convenient for both local and remote learners.
Audience & Prerequisites: Ideal for beginners with basic computer skills, no prior Tableau experience is needed.
Course Content: Teaches creation and editing of charts, graphics, and maps in Tableau, focusing on data analysis and visualization skills.
Format & Duration: A 6-hour course, available in one or two sessions.
Additional Benefits: Includes course materials, a free one-year retake option, and a verified completion certificate.
Cost: Priced at $299, due in full before the start date.

Tableau Level II - Noble Desktop

Location: Offered at Noble Desktop’s NYC location and online.
Audience & Prerequisites: Best for those with intermediate Tableau skills, recommended after completing Tableau Level I or equivalent.
Course Content: Focuses on advanced Tableau features like customizing visualizations, creating varied maps, and advanced data manipulation.
Format & Duration: A 6-hour course, available in one or two session formats.
Additional Benefits: Includes a workbook, a one-year retake option, and a verified digital completion certificate.
Cost: Priced at $299, due in full before the class start date.

Data Analytics Certificate. - Noble Desktop

Location: Available at Noble Desktop’s NYC campus and online, accessible to both local and remote learners.
Audience & Prerequisites: Suitable for those new to data analytics, requiring only basic computer skills.
Course Content: Covers Tableau, Excel, SQL, and Python, focusing on database building, data collection, querying, and visualization.
Format & Duration: A 156-hour program, offered as either a 6-week full-time or 24-week part-time course.
Additional Benefits: Includes one-on-one career mentorship, practical experience, a verified completion certificate, and a one-year retake option.
Cost: The course fee is $4,995, with installment payments and financing available.

Tableau 101 - Introduction to Tableau Desktop - Ledet Training

Location: Conducted live online and in-person at training centers in Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Denver, San Diego, and Washington, DC.
Audience & Prerequisites: Geared towards beginners in Tableau, with no need for prior Tableau or IT experience, though basic knowledge of business data or spreadsheets is beneficial.
Course Content: Teaches foundational data visualization concepts, including the use of filters, measures, and dimensions in Tableau to enhance the readability and interpretation of visualizations. Students learn to create and share visualizations, dashboards, and stories.
Format & Duration: A full-time course spread over two weekdays.
Cost: Priced at $999.

Tableau 201 - Advanced Tableau Desktop - Ledet Training

Location: Offered both live online and at various US locations, including Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Denver, San Diego, and Washington, DC.
Audience & Prerequisites: Suitable for those with a month of Tableau experience or completion of Tableau 101, focusing on more advanced users.
Course Content: Covers advanced topics like animating visualizations, creating complex charts, advanced calculations, and interactive dashboards.
Format & Duration: A full-time course spanning three days.
Cost: The course is priced at $1,499.

Tableau 501 - Tableau Bootcamp - Ledet Training

Location: Accessible live online and at various training centers, including Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, Denver, San Diego, and Washington, DC.
Audience & Prerequisites: Ideal for beginner or intermediate Tableau users, including Business Executives, Managers, Data Analysts, and more. Requires basic knowledge of business data or spreadsheets, with no prior Tableau or IT experience needed.
Course Content: Offers comprehensive training in data visualization principles and Tableau tools, combining basic to advanced skills for creating effective data representations.
Format & Duration: A five-day full-time bootcamp combining Ledet Training’s Tableau 101 and 201 courses.
Cost: Priced at $2,399.

Tableau Desktop Level 1: Introduction for Novice Users - ONLC Training Centers

Location: Available live online or at one of ONLC’s 300+ training locations across the US for in-person or remote learning.
Audience & Prerequisites: Perfect for novices. While no Tableau experience is required, familiarity with the Windows Operating System and Microsoft Excel calculations and pivot tables is recommended.
Course Content: Introduces the basics of creating visualizations and interactive dashboards in Tableau, aiming to prepare students for the Tableau Desktop Specialist certification exam.
Format & Duration: A full-time course conducted over three weekdays.
Cost: The course is priced at $1,495.

Tableau Desktop Level 2: Beyond the Basics - ONLC Training Centers

Location: Accessible both live online and at ONLC's training locations across the United States.
Audience & Prerequisites: Tailored for those with foundational Tableau knowledge, equivalent to ONLC’s Tableau Desktop Level 1 course. Six months of Tableau experience is suggested but not mandatory.
Course Content: Focuses on enhancing Tableau skills with row-level, aggregate-level, and advanced calculations. Students learn various chart types and techniques for sophisticated data visualization and desktop creation, as well as data types and data cleansing.
Format & Duration: A two-day full-time course.
Cost: Priced at $1,095.

Tableau Desktop Level 3: Dashboard Deep Dive - ONLC Training Centers

Location: Offered live online and at ONLC's training locations across the US.
Audience & Prerequisites: Intended for those with substantial Tableau experience, either through ONLC’s Level 1 and 2 Tableau courses or equivalent knowledge and experience. Familiarity with the Windows Operating System and Microsoft Excel are recommended.
Course Content: This advanced course focuses on enhancing Tableau worksheet creation and dashboard crafting skills. It equips students with the expertise to create dashboards that convey diverse business information, preparing them for the Tableau Certified Professional exam.
Format & Duration: A two-day full-time program.
Cost: The course is priced at $1,095.

Is It Difficult to Learn Tableau?

Tableau has a reputation for being a relatively easy application to learn, with no prior IT experience necessarily being required to understand the basics of the program. However, how difficult each individual will find learning even the fundamentals will vary from person to person. A Tableau class can enable beginners to master the basic tools of the program significantly more quickly and thoroughly than a self-guided learning experience. An expert instructor can also immediately answer any questions that arise while providing guidance through a learning journey that includes valuable lectures, discussion, and hands-on experience.

On the other hand, a deeper understanding of Tableau requires either extensive data visualization experience and IT knowledge, a Tableau training program, or both. Charting, mapping, and otherwise visualizing complex data requires complex solutions, which can be difficult to discover on Tableau on one’s own. Luckily, many Tableau classes and bootcamps are designed to help students gain an advanced mastery of the program.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Tableau?

The time it takes an individual to learn Tableau will depend upon many different factors that can vary from person to person. The first factor is whether one’s goal is to learn the fundamentals of Tableau or to master the program at an advanced level. Someone whose data visualization needs can be covered with a basic knowledge of the program can be a functional user of the program after a two-day Tableau class. However, if one is attempting to learn the fundamentals of the program on one’s own, it will take significantly longer to master the same information.

For those wishing to become an advanced user of Tableau with a thorough mastery of the program, their learning journey will naturally be a longer one whether they choose to learn in a classroom setting or on their own. Assuming one is beginning with no experience with the program whatsoever, an extensive knowledge of the program is attainable by most over the course of a five-day full-time bootcamp. However, two to six months of experience with the program is necessary for a majority to learn on their own to gain complete competence in Tableau. Following a bootcamp, students will, of course, continue to discover new and more efficient ways to use Tableau in their work, especially during the first six months of their experience with the program.