Tableau

Tableau is a widely used business intelligence tool used to analyse and visualise data. You can use Tableau to create a single interactive visualisation, or create a series of visualisations that can be easily transformed into a interactive dashboard. Check out Tableau's Viz of the Day to see the power of visual storytelling with Tableau. 

The Digital Skills Lab  is currently running a four part workshop series in Tableau. Workshops will take place in person throughout the year. Click on the links below to book your place or express an interest so that you are notified as soon as workshops are available to book. 

The session will take place on campus in LRB.R.08 in the lower ground floor of the Library.

If you can't find what you're looking for below, please email digital.skills.lab@lse.ac.uk or attend one of our drop-in sessions for advice. 

We also have workshops and self-study courses in SPSSStata, Python and R. See below if you're not sure which is right for you. 

Tableau vs SPSS/Stata

SPSS/Stata are primarily for data analysis, whereas Tableau is primarily for data visualisation with very limited analyitical functionality. If your focus is data visualisation then Tableau is likely the better option; if you are focusing on analysis then Stata/SPSS are likely the best option. All three have drop down menu/drag and drop interfaces and all would require a licence; Tableau does offer Tableau Public which is a open-source more limited version of Tableau.

Tableau vs R/Python

The main advantage of Tableau over R/Python is the lower barrier of entry to making great visualisations, as you do not need to learn to programme. This makes Tableau easier to access and learn. The main pro of using R/Python over Tableau is that R/Python are open-source, and can be more flexible, allowing you to utilise more options from the wide array of libraries R/Python have.

 

Tableau Workshop Series

This workshop series provides you with the primary tools and concepts for building data visualisations with Tableau, allowing you to build your confidence and continue learning independently.

Tableau 1: Introduction to Tableau

In this workshop you will learn the basics of using Tableau and will build three simple visualisations.

By the end of these sessions you will understand how to:

  • Import data into Tableau
  • Use the Tableau interface
  • Make tables, bar plots, and scatter plots

Click on the link below to check availability and book your place: 

Tableau 1: Introduction to Tableau  

Tableau 2: Filtering and Sorting

In this workshop you will learn how to perform filtering and sorting on your visualisations.

By the end of these sessions you will understand how to:

  • Apply different filters to your visualisations
  • Use sets, or subsets, to explore different parts of your data
  • Apply different sorting parameters to your visualisations

Click on the link below to check availability and book your place: 

Tableau 2: Filtering and Sorting  

Tableau 3: Geographic Data and Relationships

In this workshop you will learn how to use Tableau to visualise geographic data, and how to link geographic data to location data.

By the end of these sessions you will understand how to:

  • Use Tableau to visualise geographic data
  • Link geographic data to location data using relationships

Click on the link below to check availability and book your place: 

Tableau 3: Geographic Data and Relationships  

Tableau 4: Time Series and Aggregations

In this workshop you will learn how to use Tableau to visualise time series data, as well as how to make and visualise aggregated data.  

By the end of these sessions you will understand how to:

  • Use Tableau to visualise time series data
  • Use Tableau to do row-wise aggregations with Calculated Fields
  • Add forecast data to your visualisations using Tableau

Click on the link below to check availability and book your place: 

Tableau 4: Time Series and Aggregations 

Tableau 5: From Basic to LOD Calculations

In this workshop you will learn how to use Tableau to perform more advanced aggregations and calculations. 

By the end of these sessions you will understand how to:

  • Use different types of table calculations to manipulate your aggregated data
  • Use Level of Detail (LOD) calculations to make custom aggregations

Click on the link below to check availability and book your place: 

Tableau 5: From Basic to LOD Calculations

Tableau 6: Pages and Parameters

In this workshop you will learn how to use Tableau to make your visualisations more interactive and user friendly. 

By the end of these sessions you will understand how to:

  • Improve the user friendliness of your visualisations
  • Break or slice your figures into separate views using pages
  • Add custom interactive filters to your visualisations using parameters

Click on the link below to check availability and book your place: 

 Tableau 6: Pages and Parameters