Tableau is a data visualization program created by Tableau Software. It is capable of querying a variety of datasets including relational databases, spreadsheets, and cloud-based sources to produce graphs, interactive visualizations, and other tools for visual analytics. Tableau can also connect with spatial datasets such as Seri Shapefiles and GeoJSON to create maps at county, state, or country level, as well as customized geographic areas.

As one of the most popular data visualization programs in the business world, Tableau is important to learn to create professional-quality, high-impact graphics for presentations and reports. In today’s era of big data, businesses of all kinds are seeking to harness data-driven insights to guide their decision-making. Compelling visual analytics can be a critical tool for successful data storytelling, allowing you to capture research findings in a more memorable way than text and drive home key insights.

A picture is worth a thousand words, and data visualizations are increasingly expected as a way to convey information in a wide variety of jobs. Strong Tableau skills can help your work stand out whether you’re a business analyst, a government public relations specialist, a data journalist, or an academic researcher.

Management analysts and consultants also depend on compelling visualizations in presentations and reports to convince executives to make changes to improve their operations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, management analysts earned a median annual salary of $85,260 in 2019, and these roles are expected to grow much faster than average due to growing demand for data-driven organizational insights. These consultants typically have at least a bachelor’s degree, but jobs at top consulting firms may require a master’s in business administration (MBA).

Absolutely! Coursera offers individual courses and multi-course Specializations covering Tableau and other data visualization techniques. These courses let you learn remotely from top-ranked schools like the University of California, Davis and Duke University, and the ability to complete coursework on a flexible schedule makes online learning a great fit for mid-career professionals looking to add to their skill set. You can also get familiar with Tableau with a Guided Project, which helps you build skills by completing a step-by-step tutorial alongside experienced instructors.