Tableau Tools

Introduction

Tableau is a robust tool for data visualization that can be used to make dashboards that are shareable and interactive. Users can analyze and visualize data in a variety of ways thanks to its many features and functionalities. Tableau comes with a number of features and tools.

  • Tableau Desktop: The primary program that allows users to connect to data sources, work with data, and create dashboards in order to create visualizations.
  • Tableau Server: Facilitates intra-organizational sharing of workbooks, data sources, and visualizations. Collaboration, data governance, and security features are made possible by it.
  • Tableau Online: A cloud-hosted version of Tableau Server that is comparable in that it enables online dashboard publishing and sharing. It is a cloud-based sharing and collaboration solution.
  • Tableau Prep: A tool for cleaning and preparing data. It aids users in combining, forming, and cleaning data in preparation for analysis and display.
  • Tableau Public: This is a free Tableau version that enables users to make visualizations and publish them online for public viewing. Tableau Public data, however, is kept in a public domain.
  • Tableau Mobile: Allows mobile users to view and engage with Tableau dashboards.
  • Tableau Reader: Workbooks created in Tableau Desktop can be viewed and interacted with using Tableau Reader, a free desktop application.
  • Tableau Bridge: Secure connectivity between Tableau Server and on-premises data sources is made possible by Tableau Bridge. It facilitates using Tableau Server in the cloud while keeping a live connection to local data.

Together, these tools create an ecosystem that addresses various facets of data analytics, ranging from sharing insights with others to preparing data. Within the Tableau environment, each tool has a distinct function that adds to the platform's adaptability and value for data analysis and visualization.

Does Tableau an tool for programmers?

Tableau is not so much a traditional development tool as it is a tool for data visualization. It's made so that anyone working with data, including business analysts and data professionals, can create visually appealing and interactive dashboards and reports without needing to know a lot of coding or programming.

Nevertheless, Tableau does provide features that could require certain tasks similar to development, like:

  • Data Preparation: Prior to visualization, users can clean, combine, and shape data using Tableau Prep. It involves data manipulation tasks similar to data transformation processes developers might perform, but it doesn't require any coding knowledge.
  • Calculated Fields and Expressions: Tableau users can use expressions and formulas to create calculated fields. Even though it's not the same as traditional coding, knowing logical functions and operations can help you grasp some fundamental programming ideas.
  • Integration and Automation: To expand Tableau's functionality, developers can utilize its Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to integrate Tableau with other systems or automate specific tasks.
  • Custom Extensions: With the release of the Extensions API, developers can use their web development expertise to add features not found in Tableau or to create custom visualizations.

Tableau prioritizes usability and accessibility for a broad spectrum of users by emphasizing the provision of an intuitive interface for data analysis and visualization. While creating visualizations doesn't require a lot of coding or development experience, there are some features available that might, particularly when it comes to data preparation and customization, call for some technical knowledge.

Can I use Tableau for free?

Tableau provides a range of products; some are available for free, while others require payment. This is an explanation:

  • Tableau Public: You can create dashboards and visualizations with this version, which is available for free. Nevertheless, workbooks and data generated with Tableau Public are saved on the Tableau Public cloud and are publicly available. This indicates that the public can access your data.
  • Tableau Reader: Workbooks and visualizations made with Tableau Desktop can be viewed with this additional free tool. Users are unable to alter or change the content, though.
  • Tableau Desktop (Paid): The main visualization tool is Tableau Desktop. Tableau Desktop Personal and Tableau Desktop Professional are the two versions available. These are premium versions with varying features and functionalities.
  • Tableau Server and Tableau Online (Paid): These enterprise-level options for sharing visualizations within a company are Tableau Server and Tableau Online (Paid). Tableau Online is a cloud-based version of Tableau Server, which is hosted on-premises. A subscription or licensing fee is needed for both.
  • Tableau Prep (Paid): This program is used to clean and prepare data. It offers both a paid and a free version (Tableau Prep Builder and Tableau Prep, respectively), much like Tableau Desktop.

In comparison to the paid versions, which offer more features, capabilities, and options for collaboration, data connection, security, and support, the free versions of Tableau Public and Tableau Reader have fewer functionalities.

Conclusion

Tableau provides paid and free versions. While paid versions like Tableau Desktop, Tableau Server, and Tableau Online offer more features and capabilities for data visualization, analysis, and collaboration, free versions like Tableau Public and Tableau Reader have limitations.