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Proper data pre-processing and data cleaning in data analysis constitute the starting point and foundation for effective decision-making, though it can be the most tiresome phase. Apart from the Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server, another tool in the Tableau solution family called Tableau Prep focuses on a critical step in preparing the data that goes into analysis in databases/spreadsheets or Tableau itself.
Tableau Prep is an excellent tool that combines a clean and direct way to process and convert multiple data sets through an easy-to-use graphical and visual interface. In this article, we will take you through how Tableau Prep helps free analysts from such operations and allows them to focus on analytical work and data analysis.
Tableau Prep is a fast and efficient data preparation and integration solution (Extract, Transform, Load process) for preparing data for analysis in other Tableau applications, such as Tableau Desktop. Tableau Prep has brought in a new perspective where novice IT users and power users who are not backward faithfully can use drag and drop interfaces, visual data preparation workflows, etc., simultaneously making raw data efficient to form insights. This is the main reason that Tableau Prep focuses more on the effectiveness and efficiency of the data preparation.
Being an ETL tool, Tableau Prep helps collect data from different sources, cleans them up, and then blends and loads the required data into other places for further analysis. It effectively works with Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server to allow users to publish bookmarked, cleaned-up data sources that can be accessed by other personnel within the same organization. This capability underpins sustainable, chattel data cleansing practices requisite to data governance.
Tableau Prep offers a robust set of features designed to streamline and enhance the data preparation process:
To download and install Tableau Prep Online, you’ll need a Creator product key and the installer. Access the most recent version on the Customer Portal and follow the instructions to download and install the Tableau Prep Builder.
Tableau Prep Builder is designed with intuitive navigation in mind, although a few key points can help you get started efficiently.
Upon entering Tableau Prep Builder online, you’ll encounter the following screen:
Begin by selecting your dataset. For example, here we have chosen the “Data Science Job Posting on Glassdoor” dataset from Kaggle.
After importing your dataset:
With your dataset ready:
Let’s explore how Tableau Prep Builder simplifies the process of preparing your data for analysis and visualization.
Cleaning your data is the first step. Here, you can adjust data types, group similar values, and split column values. For example, remove negative values from the “Founded” column using a calculated field.
Next, aggregate your data to adjust its granularity. This step helps summarize data, such as calculating averages or totals based on fields like “Job Title” and “Rating.”
Pivot transforms your data table’s structure, making it suitable for various visualizations. You can reshape data from wide to long or vice versa and adjust aggregation methods accordingly.
Combine multiple tables by joining them together. This process allows you to merge related data based on common fields, creating a unified dataset for analysis.
Union data tables vertically to combine datasets with similar structures. This is useful for appending rows from one dataset to another, maintaining consistency across data sources.
Tableau Prep is essential for efficiently cleaning, shaping, and preparing data for Tableau analysis. Consider enrolling in a Tableau Course or a Data Analyst Course to dive deeper into data analytics and visualization. Follow these best practices to maximize its effectiveness:
While Tableau Prep is known for its user-friendly and visual approach to data preparation, it also comes with several limitations to consider:
Aspect | Tableau Prep | Tableau Desktop |
Primary Purpose | Data preparation and ETL tasks. | Data visualization, creating interactive dashboards and reports. |
Key Features | Combines data from multiple sources. Cleans and transforms data. Creates calculated fields. | Visualizes data with Tableau charts, graphs, and dashboards. Allows interactive exploration of data. Supports complex data analytics and visualizations. |
Integration | Prepares data for analysis and visualization in Tableau Desktop and Tableau Prep Builder or other analytical tools. | Directly visualizes and analyzes prepared data. |
Workflow | Sequential data preparation steps: combining, cleaning, transforming. | Interactive data exploration and visualization. |
Usage Context | Ideal for data engineers and analysts focusing on data cleaning and preparation. | Suited for business analysts, data scientists, and decision-makers who need insights from visual data presentations. |
Data Output | Prepared data ready for analysis in Tableau Desktop or other tools. | Visual data presentations, interactive Tableau dashboards, and reports. |
Example Use Case | Cleaning and transforming sales data from various sources before visualization. | Creating a dashboard to analyze sales trends over time. |
Tool Interaction | Complements Tableau Desktop like a preparatory step before visualization. | Receives prepared data directly from Tableau Prep for visualization and analysis. |
Tableau Prep is bundled with the Tableau Creator license, which also includes access to Tableau Desktop and Tableau Cloud or Server. Tableau Prep Conductor license equips developers with essential tools for data cleaning, analysis, and sharing. Here’s everything you need to know about it:
Tableau Prep is highly regarded for data preparation and ETL tasks, particularly for non-technical users preparing data for visualization in Tableau Desktop. However, several alternatives cater to diverse needs within the analytics industry. The following are some alternatives:
Tableau Prep Builder streamlines data preparation, making it accessible both locally and online, enhancing the functionality of Tableau Desktop. By utilizing Tableau Prep, users can efficiently clean and manipulate data, integrating seamlessly with Tableau for detailed visual analytics.
Yes, Tableau Prep is an ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) tool designed to clean, reshape, and prepare data for analysis in Tableau and other visualization tools.
Learning Tableau Prep depends on your familiarity with data tools. With its intuitive interface, users can grasp basic functionalities quickly, while mastering advanced features may require more time and practice.
Tableau Prep and Power Query both offer data preparation capabilities, but they differ in integration and feature sets. Power Query is part of Microsoft’s Excel and Power BI suite, focusing on data transformation within those environments, while Tableau Prep is tailored for Tableau’s analytics platform.
Yes, Tableau Prep is highly regarded for its user-friendly interface, visual data preparation capabilities, and seamless integration with Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server. It’s favored for simplifying complex data tasks and enhancing data quality for analysis.
Course Name | Date | Details |
---|---|---|
Tableau Certification Training Course | Class Starts on 19th October,2024 19th October SAT&SUN (Weekend Batch) | View Details |
Tableau Certification Training Course | Class Starts on 30th November,2024 30th November SAT&SUN (Weekend Batch) | View Details |
Tableau Certification Training Course | Class Starts on 28th December,2024 28th December SAT&SUN (Weekend Batch) | View Details |
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