What is Tableau and what makes it unique?
Tableau is a Business Intelligence tool for visually analyzing the data:
- Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to sort, compare, and analyze data from multiple sources, including Excel, SQL Server, and cloud-based data repositories.
- As it does not require high level of programming expertise, any user with access to data can start using it to derive value from the data.
- Users can create and distribute an interactive and shareable dashboard, which depict the trends, variations, and density of the data in the form of graphs and charts
Interactive Dashboard in Tableau: Example
Where to find Tableau?
- Tableau Public (Mac or PC)Download Tableau Public for free anytime
- Tableau Desktop for StudentsChoose this option if you are a student. Tableau offers a free one-year Tableau Desktop license for students.
- Tableau Desktop for TeachingChoose this option if you are a teacher. Tableau offers a free one-year Tableau Desktop license for teachers.
What is the difference between Tableau Public and Tableau Desktop?
Tableau Public is a free platform to explore, create and publicly share data visualizations online. It allows you to use the majority of the software functions. You can create visualizations and connect to Text and Excel documents. However, the largest difference is that Tableau Public does not allow you to save your workbooks locally. You have to save them on the publicly which means that everyone can see your data since it’s saved on the cloud.
Tableau desktop offers all the full features of software. Your workbooks can be shared locally. This version allows you the connect to different file types, create extracts of the data sources and save your Tableau workbooks locally and publicly.
| Tableau Public | Tableau Desktop |
|---|---|
| Free | Requires license; Tableau offers a free one-year license for teachers and students |
| Only Text and Excel files can be connected | All listed data files can be connected |
| Does not allow you to save your workbooks locally; all your reports are public once they are published | Allows to save your Tableau workbooks locally and publicly; nobody can see your reports unless provided with an access |
| 1 Million Rows of data can be stored, processed and shared | Unlimited Rows of data can be stored, processed and shared |
| Target audience: beginners in the field of data analysis and BI enthusiasts | Target audience: data scientists, BI developers, BI professionals |
Visualization of the day
- Visualization of the dayTableau Public is a great place where you can learn from others and create an online portfolio of work. Find inspiration by checking visualizations of the day.