Tableau first-timers
You’ve never worked with Tableau Desktop and want a guided, practical start that doesn’t assume you already know BI terminology or workflows.
Tableau Desktop- A Complete Introduction
A Comprehensive Guide on Business Intelligence with Tableau Desktop 2019+ to Prepare, Analyze and Visualize Data
Course Overview
About This Course
You want to start analyzing data, but every tool you try feels either too technical to begin with—or too “drag-and-drop” to trust for real work. You’re also stuck at the first hurdle: turning scattered source files into a dataset you can actually use.
In this course, you’ll follow a practical, interactive project while you get comfortable inside Tableau Desktop. You’ll see how a typical data analysis workflow comes together end-to-end, so you’re not just clicking around—you’re building understanding as you go, step by step.
By the end, you’ll be able to connect to different data sources, shape and relate data, and turn it into visuals that answer real questions. You’ll know how to move from raw files to a finished, interactive dashboard you can share with confidence—and you’ll understand why each step matters in a business analysis context.
What You'll Learn
You’ll work through the full Tableau Desktop workflow—from connecting to source files to delivering an interactive dashboard—using the same building blocks analysts rely on in real projects.
Navigate Tableau Desktop
Place Tableau Desktop within the wider Tableau Platform and move confidently through its key areas. You’ll know where to work on data sources versus where to build and refine your analysis.
Connect to data sources
Connect Tableau Desktop to various source types and set up your starting point for analysis. You’ll be able to bring multiple files into a single workflow without getting lost in setup details.
Prepare vs analyze data
Separate data preparation from analysis and visualization so you choose the right step at the right time. You’ll be able to structure your work like a real project instead of trial-and-error chart building.
Build calculated fields
Create calculated fields using basic calculations, Level of Detail (LOD) expressions, and table calculations. You’ll be able to add logic that makes your visuals answer deeper questions than raw fields allow.
Control analysis with logic
Use groups, sets, and parameters to shape what your audience can explore. You’ll be able to add parameters into filters and calculations to make your analysis flexible and interactive.
Design visuals and dashboards
Create charts such as line charts, bar charts, treemaps, maps, and scatter plots, then assemble them into interactive dashboards and stories. You’ll be able to present insights clearly, not just generate charts.
Ready to get started?
See enrollment optionsPrerequisites
No prior Tableau Desktop or data analysis knowledge is required.
Who Is This Course For?
Tool evaluators
You’ve heard about Tableau, but you’re unsure whether it fits your project requirements. You want enough hands-on experience to judge it based on real usage, not hype.
Aspiring data analysts
You want to begin doing data analysis with a business intelligence tool, but you’re missing a clear process from messy source files to something you can present to others.
Curriculum Overview
Start NowPreview the structure and pacing of this course before you begin.
Getting Started40m
- 01Introduction2:10 min
- 02What is the Tableau Platform?5:26 min
- 03Course Approach & System Requirements3:23 min
- 04Join our Online Learning Community0:00 min
- 05First Project 1/3 - Installing Tableau Desktop & Connecting it to Data6:13 min
- 06First Project 2/3 - Preparing & Cleaning Data5:12 min
- 07First Project 3/3 - Creating our First Charts7:24 min
- 08Course Outline6:35 min
- 09How to Get the Most out of This Course4:32 min
- 10Useful & Resources0:00 min
- 11The Academind Pro Referral Program0:00 min
Understanding the Tableau Platform & Tableau Desktop22m
- 01Module Introduction2:10 min
- 02Diving Deeper Into the Tableau Platform3:45 min
- 03Tableau Public vs Tableau Desktop4:22 min
- 04Understanding the Updated Tableau Versioning2:22 min
- 05Avoiding the "Save Project" Bug3:19 min
- 06How to Use the Attached Project Files4:20 min
- 07Recommended Tableau Settings2:22 min
- 08Useful & Resources0:00 min
Preparing Data in Tableau Desktop3h 7m
- 01Module Introduction1:34 min
- 02Understanding the Tableau Desktop Workflow3:09 min
- 03How to Use the Data Source Tab12:54 min
- 04Connecting Tableau to Data: "Extract" vs "Live"4:14 min
- 05Understanding Union - The Theory3:11 min
- 06How Union Works in Tableau3:17 min
- 07Combining Tables in our Project with "Union"9:50 min
- 08Editing Columns5:01 min
- 09The "Refresh" Bug4:21 min
- 10Formatting Columns8:14 min
- 11Working with Rows4:22 min
- 12Understanding Number Filters8:29 min
- 13Working with String Filters8:42 min
- 14Pivoting Data7:42 min
- 15Understanding Aliases7:06 min
- 16OPTIONAL: Calculated Fields Theory7:54 min
- 17OPTIONAL: Building Block & Syntax4:37 min
- 18OPTIONAL: Understanding Number Functions12:49 min
- 19OPTIONAL: String Functions10:35 min
- 20OPTIONAL: How Type Conversion Works4:39 min
- 21OPTIONAL: Understanding Logical Functions6:41 min
- 22Replacing Values with Calculated Fields6:27 min
- 23Splitting Fields4:19 min
- 24Grouping Members10:04 min
- 25Joining Tables - Theory6:18 min
- 26The Join Feature in Practice8:42 min
- 27Assignment - Join (Problem)3:17 min
- 28Assignment - Join (Solution)5:17 min
- 29Cleaning Up our Project1:48 min
- 30Wrap Up1:49 min
- 31Useful & Resources0:00 min
Analyzing & Visualizing Data in Tableau Desktop5h 10m
- 01Module Introduction1:59 min
- 02Another Look at the Workflow1:10 min
- 03The Worksheet Interface6:17 min
- 04Dimensions vs Measures5:23 min
- 05Creating Line & Area Charts10:45 min
- 06Understanding Relationships & Data Blending3:39 min
- 07Adding Relationships to our Project5:02 min
- 08Understanding Bar Charts & Tooltips8:10 min
- 09Discrete & Continous Data in Tableau5:01 min
- 10Discrete & Continuous Data in Practice9:14 min
- 11Understanding the Default Aggregation3:55 min
- 12Diving Into Aggregate Calculations9:49 min
- 13Understanding the "Measure Names" & "Measure Values" Fields9:05 min
- 14Working with Blend and Dual Axes5:01 min
- 15Diving Deeper Into Filters - Theory3:37 min
- 16Understanding Filters on Measures & Dimensions11:02 min
- 17Assignment - Filters (Problem)1:14 min
- 18Assignment - Filters (Solution)4:03 min
- 19Creating Filters Directly in the Visual2:38 min
- 20Understanding the Context Filter3:18 min
- 21Applying Filters to Multiple Worksheets4:18 min
- 22Understanding Hierarchies8:13 min
- 23Sorting Axis Values9:10 min
- 24Understanding Marks7:11 min
- 25Legends & Filter Cards6:49 min
- 26Applying Color Palettes7:03 min
- 27Formatting Workbooks7:09 min
- 28Formatting Single Worksheets12:23 min
- 29Optional: Styling our Project9:20 min
- 30Assignment - Dual Axes Charts (Problem)2:19 min
- 31Assignment - Dual Axes Charts (Solution)9:03 min
- 32Creating Text & Highlight Tables8:21 min
- 33Understanding Quick Table Calculations8:03 min
- 34Creating Own Table Calculations7:01 min
- 35Creating a Scatter Plot5:31 min
- 36Groups vs Sets - Theory3:39 min
- 37Adding Sets to our Project10:55 min
- 38Level of Detail (LoD) Calculations - Theory2:25 min
- 39Applying LoD Calculations in Practice11:54 min
- 40Creating Folders3:41 min
- 41Working with Bins10:40 min
- 42Groups vs Sets vs Bins3:15 min
- 43Assignment - Bins (Problem)2:37 min
- 44Assignment - Bins (Solution)5:49 min
- 45Creating Maps7:19 min
- 46Interacting with the Map4:00 min
- 47Understanding Filled Maps & Layers5:17 min
- 48Understanding Parameters in Filters4:46 min
- 49Using Parameters in Calculations6:34 min
- 50Wrap Up5:42 min
- 51Useful & Resources0:00 min
- 52Useful & Resources0:00 min
Creating Dashboard & Stories53m
- 01Module Introduction1:33 min
- 02Current Project Status1:02 min
- 03Creating Dashboards & Layouts10:20 min
- 04Understanding Objects4:34 min
- 05Working with Objects3:24 min
- 06Tiled vs Floating Objects3:20 min
- 07Formatting & Positioning Legends4:44 min
- 08Understanding Interactivity & Actions12:17 min
- 09Styling our Dashboard7:06 min
- 10Introducing Stories5:27 min
- 11Useful & Resources0:00 min
Course Roundup7m
- 01Next Steps3:44 min
- 02Wrap Up3:36 min
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