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Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau

In this first course of this specialization, you will discover what data visualization is, and how we can use it to better see and understand data. Using Tableau, we’ll examine the fundamental concepts of data visualization and explore the Tableau interface, identifying and applying the various tools Tableau has to offer. By the end of the course you will be able to prepare and import data into Tableau and explain the relationship between data analytics and data visualization. This course is designed for the learner who has never used Tableau before, or who may need a refresher or want to explore Tableau in more depth. No prior technical or analytical background is required. The course will guide you through the steps necessary to create your first visualization from the beginning based on data context, setting the stage for you to advance to the next course in the Specialization.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Data Visualization and Its Importance

In this module, you will be able to define what data visualization is and discuss why it’s so important. You will listen to an interview with Dr. Ben Shneiderman, a modern pioneer of data visualization. You will be able to define interactive visualization and install Tableau Public so you can start to get acquainted with it for the next module. You will be able to make a simple viz so you can clearly see what skills are used in the process.

Getting to Know Tableau for Data Visualization

In this module, you will be able to identify and describe the various parts that make up the welcome screen, worksheet screen, and dashboard screen.

Let's Make a Viz!

In this module, you’ll be able to identify potential questions to answer with a given dataset. You will be able to make three different charts: a line chart, a tree map, and a bar chart. You will be able to create a dashboard with those charts, and be able to add some simple dashboard interactions.

Tableau Community Projects and Visualization Best Practices

In this module, you will be able to discuss where to get help. You will also be able to discuss where to go for inspiration and how to get involved in the Tableau community. If you are up for the challenge, you will also have the option to obtain an honor badge by applying five data visualization best practices and participate in a #MakeoverMonday peer reviewed project. Good Luck!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Introduces learners to the fundamentals of data visualization using Tableau

Provides step-by-step guidance for beginners to create their first visualizations

Covers a variety of data visualization techniques and tools within Tableau

Helps learners understand the relationship between data analytics and visual representation

Provides opportunities for learners to apply their skills through exercises and projects

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Reviews summary

Tableau visualization fundamentals

learners say this introductory course begins by discussing what a data visualization is and why it's important. It then guides students through creating their first visualizations using Tableau Public. The course is largely positive with an overall sentiment from students of 85%. Students highlight the easy-to-follow structure, practical nature of the exercises, and how it encourages students to get involved with the data visualization community. Some students note the content is a little outdated, and one of the assignments requires students to have a Twitter account.

Students highlight the easy-to-follow structure, practical nature of the exercises, and how it encourages students to get involved with the data visualization community.

"There are also instructors who are very knowledgeable in that field, so explaining to beginners can be understood"

"The provided right amount of information, instructions were clear and the final assignment gave good grounding on how one would use Tableau and visualizations in the real world."

"It covers some of the basics, but now I'm looking forward to delving deeper into the application."

"This is a great beginning for learning Tableau. It covers some of the basics, but now I'm looking forward to delving deeper into the application."

Some students note the content is a little outdated

"Despite taking notes and following closely with all of the learning content, I still felt like I was figuring a lot of things out on my own. The video content is too short compared to what you have to do. A lot more could be fit into the course."

Some students note the content is a little outdated, and one of the assignments requires students to have a Twitter account.

"I think its bad of the course that you need to have twitter to complete it. I think a course should not force you to be on a social media platform you don't want to be on."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau with these activities:

Review basic statistics and data analysis concepts

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Strengthen your understanding of essential concepts

Browse courses on Statistics

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Review statistical concepts such as mean, median, and standard deviation
Practice analyzing data using basic statistical techniques

Watch the “Tableau Tutorial for Beginners” series on YouTube

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Supplement your learning through structured tutorials

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Search for the “Tableau Tutorial for Beginners” series on YouTube
Watch the videos in the series
Follow along with the exercises

Read “Storytelling with Data” by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

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Review the fundamental principles of data visualization

View Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization... on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly
Complete the exercises in the book
Create a summary of the key concepts

Five other activities

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Complete the Tableau exercises on the official Tableau website

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Enhance your Tableau skills through guided practice

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Sign up for a free Tableau account
Access the Tableau exercises
Complete the exercises

Create a Tableau dashboard on a dataset of your choice

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Reinforce your understanding of Tableau by creating a visualization from scratch

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Choose a dataset that interests you
Import the data into Tableau
Create a dashboard that visualizes the data
Share your dashboard with others

Join a Tableau user group or online community

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Connect with other Tableau users to share knowledge and learn

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Search for Tableau user groups or online communities
Join a relevant group or community
Participate in discussions and ask questions

Build a data visualization portfolio

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Demonstrate your Tableau skills and showcase your work

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Identify projects that showcase different Tableau features
Develop visualizations for each project
Create a portfolio website or document
Share your portfolio with potential employers or clients

Create a data visualization project using Tableau and present it to an audience

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Synthesize your Tableau skills and present your findings effectively

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Choose a topic and develop a research question
Collect and analyze data
Create Tableau visualizations to present your findings
Prepare a presentation
Deliver the presentation to an audience

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Visualization Specialist

Data Visualization Specialists create visual representations of data to help organizations communicate insights and make better decisions. This course is a good foundation for aspiring Data Visualization Specialists as it will introduce them to the fundamental concepts of data visualization and teach them how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Visualization Specialist

Data Visualization Analyst

Data Visualization Analysts use data visualization to identify trends and patterns in data to help organizations make better decisions. This course is a good foundation for aspiring Data Visualization Analysts as it will introduce them to the fundamental concepts of data visualization and teach them how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software. The course will also teach students how to analyze data and identify insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Visualization Analyst

Data Visualization Engineer

Data Visualization Engineers design and develop data visualization solutions for organizations. This course is a good foundation for aspiring Data Visualization Engineers as it will introduce them to the fundamental concepts of data visualization and teach them how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software. The course will also teach students how to build and maintain data visualization pipelines.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Visualization Engineer

Tableau Developer

Tableau Developers build and maintain Tableau dashboards and visualizations. This course is a good foundation for aspiring Tableau Developers as it will introduce them to the Tableau platform and teach them the basics of data visualization. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau to create interactive dashboards and visualizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Tableau Developer

Data Visualization Designer

Data Visualization Designers create visual representations of data to help organizations communicate insights and make better decisions. This course is a good foundation for aspiring Data Visualization Designers as it will introduce them to the fundamental concepts of data visualization and teach them how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software. The course will also teach students how to design and create effective data visualizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Visualization Designer

Data Analyst

Data Analysts gather, interpret, and analyze data to help organizations make better decisions. This course can be helpful for aspiring Data Analysts as it will introduce them to the fundamental concepts of data visualization, a key skill for this role. The course will also teach students how to prepare and import data into Tableau, a widely used data visualization software, which is a valuable tool for Data Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Market Researcher

Market Researchers collect and analyze data to help organizations understand their customers and make better marketing decisions. This course may be useful for aspiring Market Researchers as it will introduce them to the basics of data visualization, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in this field. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Information Architect

Information Architects design and organize websites and other digital products to make them easy to use. This course may be useful for aspiring Information Architects as it will introduce them to the basics of data visualization, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in this field. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

User Experience Researcher

User Experience Researchers study how users interact with products and services to improve the user experience. This course may be useful for aspiring User Experience Researchers as it will introduce them to the basics of data visualization, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in this field. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Researcher

Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Intelligence Analysts use data to help organizations make better decisions. This course may be useful for aspiring Business Intelligence Analysts as it will introduce them to the basics of data visualization, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in this field. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Intelligence Analyst

Business Analyst

Business Analysts help organizations improve their performance by analyzing data and making recommendations. This course may be useful for aspiring Business Analysts as it will introduce them to the basics of data visualization, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in this field. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts use data to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of organizations. This course may be useful for aspiring Operations Research Analysts as it will introduce them to the basics of data visualization, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in this field. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Research Analyst

Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts use data to evaluate and make recommendations on investments. This course may be useful for aspiring Financial Analysts as it will introduce them to the basics of data visualization, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in this field. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst

Data Engineer

Data Engineers design and build data pipelines to move data from various sources into a data warehouse. This course may be useful for aspiring Data Engineers as it will introduce them to the basics of data visualization, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in this field. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems and develop new products and services. This course may be useful for aspiring Data Scientists as it will introduce them to the basics of data visualization, a skill that is becoming increasingly important in this field. The course will also teach students how to use Tableau, a popular data visualization software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau.

Reflections on Slope Stability Engineering

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This classic text on data visualization provides a theoretical foundation for the field. It discusses the principles of graphical excellence and how to design effective visualizations that convey information clearly.

Fundamentals of Visualization with Tableau

Three deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Tableau visualization fundamentals

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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