Tableau Essentials PLUS Training Course Description

Connecting to Data

• Options for connecting to data
• Data types and data roles
• Database joins
• Data blending
• Optimal performance considerations
• Reusing and sharing data connections
• Working with multiple connections in a workbook

Calculated Fields

• Working with string functions, basic arithmetic calculations, date math
• Working with totals, custom aggregations, logic statements

Working with Parameters

• Making your visualizations more interactive and dynamic with Tableau Parameters
• Data types, using parameters in calculated fields, inputting parameter values and control options
• Using parameters for titles, field selections, logic statements, TopX

Analytic Techniques and Creating Views

• Representing data using a variety of visual types: geographic maps, paged charts, animated charts, heat maps, scatter plots, bar charts, multiple charts
• Sorting, grouping
• Filtering and quick filters
• Crosstabs/pivot tables, text tables
• Aggregation and disaggregation
• Statistics and trendlines

Formatting

• Formatting options
• Labels and annotations, titles and captions
• Introduction to Visual Best Practices

Building Interactive Dashboards

• Combining multiple visualizations into a dashboard
• Making your worksheet interactive
• Using best practices to create powerful visualizations

Sharing Workbooks

• Publish to Reader
• Packaged Workbooks
• Publish to Office
• Publish to PDF
• Publish to Tableau Server and Sharing over the Web

Best Practices in Formatting and Visualizing

Formatting Tips

• Highlighting
• Labeling
• Legends

Putting it all together

• Scenario-based Review Exercises
• Best Practices

Where to get Further Assistance

• The Help File / Product Manual
• Knowledge base
• Forums
• Whitepapers & Books
• Further Training Offerings & Professional Services
• Technical Support

Filtering, Sorting & Grouping

Filtering, Sorting and Grouping are fundamental concepts when working with and analyzing data. We will briefly review these topics as they apply to Tableau

• Advanced options for filtering and hiding
• The various types of filters and how and when each executes in sequence
• Data security considerations of specific filters
• Specific recommendations on how to use, or not to use, various filter options
• Understanding your many options for ordering and grouping your data: Sort, Groups, Bins, Sets
• The various types of sets and use cases for each
• Understanding how these options inter-relate

Working with Data

In the Fundamentals class, we accepted the data for what it is! (with a basic overview of blending and joining data and working with the data engine). In the Advanced class, we will understand the difference between joining and blending data, and when we should do each. We will also consider the implications of working with large data sets, and consider options for when and how to work with extracts and the data engine. We will also investigate best practices in “sharing” data sources for Tableau Server users.

• Adding to Context
• Performance considering and working with big data

Working with Calculated Data and Statistics

Earlier we were introduced to some basic calculations. We will extend those concepts to understand the intricacies of manipulating data within Tableau.

Basic Calculations – a Quick Review

• Arithmetic Calculations
• Date Calculations
• Quick Table Calculations
• Custom Aggregations
• Custom Calculated Fields
• Logic and Conditional Calculations
• Conditional Filters

Advanced Table Calculations

• Understanding Partitioning and Addressing
• Differences between visual layout of data and results of table calculations
• Approaches for understanding what is happening in table calculations
• Calculate on Results of Table Calculations
• Complex Calculations
• Difference from Average
• Secondary Table Calculations

Statistics

• Summary Stats
• Moving Averages
• From a fixed point
• In a rolling window

Working with Dates and Times

• Continuous versus Discrete Dates
• Dates and Times
• Reference Dates