Tableau Tutorial

Tableau Tutorials Roadmap

Section 1: Introduction to Tableau and Data Visualization

  • What is Tableau?
    • Understanding Tableau as a leading data visualization and business intelligence tool.
    • Key features and benefits (ease of use, interactive dashboards, connecting to various data sources, sharing insights).
    • Different Tableau products (Tableau Desktop, Tableau Public, Tableau Server, Tableau Cloud/Online, Tableau Prep).
    • Use cases of Tableau in various industries.
  • Setting up Tableau:
    • Downloading and installing Tableau Desktop (Trial or Public).
    • Understanding the Tableau Interface (Start Page, Data Source Page, Worksheet, Dashboard, Story).
  • Connecting to Data:
    • Connecting to common data sources (Excel, CSV, Text Files).
    • Understanding different connection types (Live vs. Extract).
    • Exploring the Data Source Page (previewing data, data types, renaming fields).
  • Understanding Data Concepts in Tableau:
    • Dimensions vs. Measures.
    • Discrete vs. Continuous.

Section 2: Building Basic Visualizations

  • Understanding the "Show Me" Feature.
  • Creating Common Chart Types:
    • Bar Charts.
    • Line Charts.
    • Pie Charts.
    • Scatter Plots.
    • Histograms.
    • Maps (basic).
  • Placing Fields on Shelves (Columns, Rows, Marks, Filters, Pages).
  • Understanding the Marks Card:
    • Color, Size, Label, Detail, Tooltip.
    • Changing Mark Types.

Section 3: Working with Data in Tableau

  • Sorting Data.
  • Filtering Data:
    • Quick Filters.
    • Context Filters.
    • Filter Actions (in dashboards).
  • Grouping Data.
  • Creating Hierarchies.
  • Working with Dates:
    • Date Parts and Date Values.
    • Discrete vs. Continuous Dates.
    • Date Functions.

Section 4: Calculations and Parameters

  • Understanding Calculations in Tableau.
  • Creating Basic Calculations:
    • Calculated Fields.
    • Aggregate Functions.
    • Basic Arithmetic Operations.
  • Creating Parameters:
    • Understanding the purpose of parameters.
    • Creating and using parameters in calculations and filters.
  • Quick Table Calculations:
    • Running Total, Percentage of Total, Difference, etc.

Section 5: Building Dashboards and Stories

  • Understanding Dashboards:
    • Purpose and best practices for dashboard design.
    • Adding worksheets to a dashboard.
  • Layout Containers (Horizontal and Vertical).
  • Adding Objects to a Dashboard:
    • Text, Images, Web Pages, Blank Objects.
  • Dashboard Actions:
    • Filter Actions.
    • Highlight Actions.
    • URL Actions.
    • Go to Sheet Actions.
  • Creating Stories:
    • Understanding stories as a sequence of visualizations.
    • Adding dashboards and worksheets to a story.

Section 6: Advanced Data Connectivity and Preparation

  • Connecting to Multiple Data Sources.
  • Joining Tables:
    • Understanding different join types (Inner, Left, Right, Outer).
    • Join Clauses.
  • Blending Data:
    • Understanding data blending and its differences from joining.
    • Primary and Secondary Data Sources.
  • Data Interpreter and Pivot.
  • Working with Metadata (Aliases, Renaming, Hiding Fields).
  • Introduction to Tableau Prep (Optional):
    • Understanding the need for data preparation.
    • Basic data cleaning and transformation steps in Tableau Prep.

Section 7: Advanced Visualizations and Techniques

  • Dual Axis Charts.
  • Combination Charts.
  • Highlight Tables and Heat Maps.
  • Treemaps and Packed Bubbles.
  • Working with Geographic Data:
    • Creating Symbol Maps and Filled Maps.
    • Geocoding.
    • Custom Geocoding.
  • Sets:
    • Creating and using sets.
    • Combined Sets.
  • Level of Detail (LOD) Expressions:
    • Understanding the concept of LOD expressions.
    • FIXED, INCLUDE, and EXCLUDE expressions.

Section 8: Sharing and Collaborating

  • Publishing to Tableau Public.
  • Introduction to Tableau Server and Tableau Cloud/Online:
    • Understanding their role in collaboration and sharing.
    • Publishing workbooks to a server.
  • Permissions and Security (on Server/Cloud).
  • Embedding Tableau Visualizations.

Section 9: Advanced Calculations and Analytics

  • String Functions.
  • Date Functions (Advanced).
  • Logical Functions (IF, CASE).
  • Using Parameters in Advanced Calculations.
  • Forecasting.
  • Trend Lines.
  • Reference Lines, Bands, and Distribution.

Section 10: Performance Tuning and Best Practices

  • Optimizing Data Connections and Extracts.
  • Designing Efficient Dashboards.
  • Understanding the Impact of Filters and Calculations on Performance.
  • Best Practices for Data Visualization.

Section 11: Project Building and Practice

  • Analyzing a sample dataset (e.g., Superstore dataset).
  • Creating a dashboard to answer specific business questions.
  • Working with real-world datasets (from data sources like Kaggle or government data portals).
  • Recreating existing visualizations or dashboards.

Section 12: Further Learning and Community

  • Official Tableau Documentation and Help (help.tableau.com).
  • Tableau Public Gallery (public.tableau.com/gallery).
  • Tableau Community Forums.
  • Tableau Training Resources (free and paid).
  • Online Courses and Tutorials (Udemy, Coursera, YouTube).
  • Tableau User Groups.
  • Exploring Tableau Blogs and Websites (e.g., Tableau Zen Masters' blogs).
  • Preparing for Tableau Certification (Tableau Desktop Specialist, Certified Associate).