How to Use Tableau Effectively for Scientific Data Analysis

Three visionaries, including CEO Christian Chabot, Chief Scientist Pat Hanrahan, and Chief Development Officer Chris Stolte, established Tableau in 2003 with a mission to simplify the access and interpretation of databases, spreadsheets, and other data types for everyone. By merging Structured Query Language (SQL) with a descriptive language, the company created visualisations that are straightforward to comprehend.

In the realm of current business intelligence (BI) and data analysis, Tableau is quickly emerging as a favoured data visualisation application. The analytics and data science industries have embraced Tableau, primarily appreciating its effortless customisation and user-friendly interface. Even individuals lacking any prior experience in BI or analytics can develop captivating and effective visualisations with proper guidance.

It’s amusing to note that: Many prestigious corporations, including Nike, Skype, Tesla, Accenture, Coca-Cola, TCS, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Honeywell, and GoDaddy, have integrated Tableau into their business operations. This reveals the widespread approval and confidence in the software by several of the most renowned companies in the world.

This post will provide you with all the essential information you need to know about Tableau.

Begin with the installation process.

To start learning how to visualise data using Tableau, begin by installing either the Desktop or Community edition.

• The public version of the open-source software is not only used for testing, but is also accessible for free.
• The licenced Desktop version, available for a fee, can be advantageous for various technologies, departments, and industries.

Pro tip: It is recommended that you begin with the free public version, even if you intend to purchase the commercial version in the future.

Where should I start?

1. You may visit our website at https://public.tableau.com/en-us/s/download to gain access to our available downloads. All you have to do is enter your email address in the specified field to download the application.
2. After the download is finished, open the .exe file.
3. Once you have read and consented to the licence agreement, click on the “Install” button.
4. As soon as the installation of Tableau is complete, the program will automatically launch.

Get familiar with Tableau’s features

After installing Tableau, it is important to acquaint yourself with the software’s features to make the most out of it.

1. Tableau Desktop

   Our data visualization software is available for a 14-day free trial and can be utilized to produce interactive dashboards and stories. There are two versions to choose from – the Personal Edition for individual usage and the Commercial Edition for businesses. The Personal Edition has restricted data exchange and accessibility, while the Commercial Edition provides comprehensive data access and sharing capabilities, making it the perfect solution for businesses.

2. Tableau Online

   Tableau is a cloud-based business intelligence solution that offers an on-demand analytics platform. Its primary product, Tableau Desktop, serves as a data-sharing application that creates interactive and informative dashboards that can be published to Tableau Online. Dashboards created by Tableau can be accessed by both mobile devices and the web through a simple URL that can be edited by colleagues and clients.
   
   Using Tableau Online can save your company time and money by eliminating the requirement to purchase and configure new hardware. Data storage in the cloud is handled by the Tableau team, enabling efficient utilisation of skills like data access, editing, interaction, analysis, and management.
   
   Tableau Online provides two distinct benefits to its users. First, the software is managed by Tableau, eliminating the need for users to worry about any maintenance or upkeep. Second, it provides access to as many as forty web-based data sources, including popular options like MySQL, Amazon Aurora, Hive and Spark SQL.

3. Tableau Server

   Tableau Server has a similar functionality as Tableau Online and is used to disseminate workbooks, dashboards, and reports created in Tableau Desktop to different audiences. These items are first published on Tableau Desktop and then automatically loaded onto the server to be shared.
   
   Reports that are uploaded can be accessed without a server installation by anyone. Upon logging in, all files are available immediately, regardless of the version of Tableau. It provides an efficient platform for corporate collaboration between teams.
   
   Interesting fact: You can receive AI-powered explanations for your data in plain English simply by asking for it.

4. Tableau Public

   Tableau Public is a publicly accessible free service that operates as a public cloud server, allowing the content created on it to be accessed by anyone with an internet connection.
   
   The platform provides a space for users all around the world to view and analyse data as well as offering 10GB storage capacity for each user’s dashboards and workbooks. This storage space makes it easy for them to store and access their data.
   
   Tableau Public provides a range of features that can be useful for journalists, such as the ability to publish interactive data online, thereby expanding the reach of their work. This platform is an ideal fit for journalists seeking to increase the visibility of their work.

5. Tableau Prep

   Tableau Prep is a distinctive and highly valuable solution in the field of data preparation. This software offers an extensive range of interfaces and tools for validating, cleaning, and transforming raw data into appropriate formats for analysis and display. Tableau Prep is easily accessible and user-friendly, thus useful for individuals and businesses of all sizes, regardless of their technical expertise.
   
   Tableau Prep contains two distinct editions:

   • Tableau Builder:

     Creates data streams

   • Tableau Prep Leader:

     Flows created using Tableau Prep Builder can be shared, scheduled, and managed.

6. Tableau Mobile

   If you are looking for an ideal solution to access Tableau from your mobile device, then look no further. With this product, you have the option to use your fingers or a stylus to make desired changes to your dashboards and workbooks. Additionally, you can choose from a range of fast and convenient features, such as selecting, filtering, or drilling down data.
   
   Tableau Mobile detects the screen size automatically to provide a comprehensive suite of features. These include a notification system, improved dashboard security, a robust search engine, and the ability to share and upload files.

Tableau’s Features and Abilities

Explore the numerous robust features that Tableau has to offer.

• Requesting Information:

  Tableau’s advanced feature provides numerous benefits for data sorting, filtering, and aggregation. Users can easily type in their queries using plain language, and the system will provide relevant answers promptly. This can save time and effort while attempting to identify meaningful data patterns.

• Data Connectors:

  The newest version of Tableau offers a broad range of data connections, including options such as those for Google Ads, the Snowflake data warehouse, Microsoft Azure SQL Data Warehouse, and many additional sources. This expansive selection of data sources provides users with the convenience of quickly accessing and analysing different data points.

• Data Connections:

  Secure and encrypted connections to cloud services such as Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, Google BigQuery, and others are fully supported.

• Installation and Deployment:

  Tableau’s efficiency can be enhanced through various features, such as improved nested sorting, a web-based preview of the app’s mobile interface, and more.

• Informal Data Sharing:

  Exporting PowerPoint presentations from Tableau reports, dashboards, and visualizations is effortless. Additionally, Tableau reports can be shared via a link that takes the recipient directly to the original worksheet. This offers a convenient method of sharing Tableau data with others.

• Perspective and Visual Design:

  Tableau has introduced a host of exciting updates to its design view and visualizations, including heat maps, translucent worksheet backgrounds, vector maps, dashboard navigation buttons, set actions, and Tableau navigation actions. These features enrich the user experience and offer additional options for data visualization.

Having gained a better understanding of Tableau’s data analysis capabilities, you can fully utilise this potent business intelligence software. Not only does Tableau offer advanced security compared to other BI tools, but it also reduces network traffic due to its smooth operations. With Tableau’s exceptional customer service, you can concentrate on the bigger picture without worrying about technical details, even while using a laptop.