Mastering Tableau

David Baldwin

• Publisher: Packt Publishing
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781784397692
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Computer Science
• Subtopic: Data Modelling & Design
• Index: Computer Science

Master the intricacies of Tableau to create effective data visualizations

About This Book

• Arm yourself with an arsenal of advanced chart types and geocoding to efficiently and engagingly present information
• Map a grid over a network node diagram and use that grid to demonstrate loads, processing time, and more in Tableau
• Integrate R with Tableau by utilizing R functions, libraries, and saved models

Who This Book Is For

If you are a business analyst without developer-level programming skills, then this book is for you. You are expected to have at least a fundamental understanding of Tableau and basic knowledge of joins, however SQL knowledge is not assumed. You should have basic computer skills, including at least moderate Excel proficiency.

What You Will Learn

• Create a worksheet that can display the current balance for any given period in time
• Recreate a star schema from in a data warehouse in Tableau
• Combine level of detail calculations with table calculations, sets, and parameters
• Create custom polygons to build filled maps for area codes in the USA
• Visualize data using a set of analytical and advanced charting techniques
• Know when to use Tableau instead of PowerPoint
• Build a dashboard and export it to PowerPoint

In Detail

Tableau has emerged as one of the most popular Business Intelligence solutions in recent times, thanks to its powerful and interactive data visualization capabilities. This book will empower you to become a master in Tableau by exploiting the many new features introduced in Tableau 10.0.

You will embark on this exciting journey by getting to know the valuable methods of utilizing advanced calculations to solve complex problems. These techniques include creative use of different types of calculations such as row-level, aggregate-level, and more. You will discover how almost any data visualization challenge can be met in Tableau by getting a proper understanding of the tool's inner workings and creatively exploring possibilities.

You'll be armed with an arsenal of advanced chart types and techniques to enable you to efficiently and engagingly present information to a variety of audiences through the use of clear, efficient, and engaging dashboards. Explanations and examples of efficient and inefficient visualization techniques, well-designed and poorly designed dashboards, and compromise options when Tableau consumers will not embrace data visualization will build on your understanding of Tableau and how to use it efficiently.

By the end of the book, you will be equipped with all the information you need to create effective dashboards and data visualization solutions using Tableau.

Style and approach

This book takes a direct approach, to systematically evolve to more involved functionalities such as advanced calculation, parameters & sets, data blending and R integration. This book will help you gain skill in building visualizations previously beyond your capacity.

Mastering Tableau

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Mastering Tableau

Copyright © 2016 Packt Publishing

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embedded in critical articles or reviews.

Every effort has been made in the preparation of this book to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. However, the information contained in this book is sold without warranty, either express or implied. Neither the author, nor Packt Publishing, and its dealers and distributors will be held liable for any damages caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by this book.

Packt Publishing has endeavored to provide trademark information about all of the companies and products mentioned in this book by the appropriate use of capitals. However, Packt Publishing cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

First published: November 2016

Production reference: 1231116

Published by Packt Publishing Ltd.

Livery Place

35 Livery Street

Birmingham

B3 2PB, UK.

ISBN 978-1-78439-769-2

www.packtpub.com

Credits

Author David Baldwin	Copy Editor Vikrant Phadke
Reviewer Tamas Foldi	Project Coordinator Shweta H Birwatkar
Commissioning Editor Veena Pagare	Proofreader Safis Editing
Acquisition Editor Vinay Argekar	Indexer Aishwarya Gangawane
Content Development Editor Sumeet Sawant	Graphics Disha Haria
Technical Editor Akash Patel	Production Coordinator Nilesh Mohite

About the Author

David Baldwin has provided consulting in the business intelligence sector for 17 years. His experience includes Tableau training and consulting, developing BI solutions, project management, technical writing, and the web and graphic design. His vertical experience includes financial, healthcare, human resource, aerospace, energy, education, government, and entertainment industries. As a Tableau trainer and consultant, David enjoys serving a variety of clients throughout the USA. Tableau provides David a platform that collates his broad experience into a skill set that can service a diverse client base.

Many people provided invaluable support in the writing of this book. Although I cannot name everyone, there are those to whom I would like to draw special attention: My wife, Kara, was an unfailing encourager, supporter, and cheerleader throughout the writing journey. My children, Brent and Brooke, were very understanding of their dad’s many long hours in front of a laptop at the dining room table. My mother, Bettye, was my first and best writing instructor and thus provided a foundation for clear communication. My father, Larry, taught me the importance of precise technical and mathematical thinking. My sister, Chelsea, modeled perseverance as she pursued and achieved advanced degrees. Also I’d like to thank my colleagues at Teknion for being ever willing to entertain questions, provide valuable feedback, and read rough drafts, particularly Bridget Cogley, Matthew Agee, Preston Howell, and especially Joshua Milligan.

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