Book Image

Tableau Certified Data Analyst Certification Guide

By : Mr. Harry Cooney, Mr. Daisy Jones
Book Image

Tableau Certified Data Analyst Certification Guide

By: Mr. Harry Cooney, Mr. Daisy Jones

Overview of this book

The Tableau Certified Data Analyst certification validates the essential skills needed to explore, analyze, and present data, propelling your career in data analytics. Whether you're a seasoned Tableau user or just starting out, this comprehensive resource is your roadmap to mastering Tableau and achieving certification success. The book begins by exploring the fundamentals of data analysis, from connecting to various data sources to transforming and cleaning data for meaningful insights. With practical exercises and realistic mock exams, you'll gain hands-on experience that reinforces your understanding of Tableau concepts and prepares you for the challenges of the certification exam. As you progress, expert guidance and clear explanations make it easy to navigate complex topics as each chapter builds upon the last, providing a seamless learning experience—from creating impactful visualizations to managing content on Tableau Cloud. Written by a team of experts, this Tableau book not only helps you pass the certification exam but also equips you with the skills and confidence needed to excel in your career. It is an indispensable resource for unlocking the full potential of Tableau.
Table of Contents (11 chapters)

Connecting to Sources

The first step in virtually any data analytics process is to connect to data. Tableau (and machines in general) cannot natively know where, how, or when to look for data. This link must be initially set up by the user.

Tableau offers many options for data connectivity, from simple spreadsheets on a local device to large online repositories accessible anywhere in the world. Naturally, with such varied means of storing data, the process for setting up these connections differs. Nonetheless, the location must always be specified in some way.

Data often contains sensitive information and is relied upon to represent real events. It is, therefore, important to maintain its integrity. Some kind of authentication is often required to prove user identity, especially for data stored on the cloud and intended to be accessed remotely; this most commonly involves entering credentials (such as a username or password).

It is important to note that none of the services in the Tableau Suite (such as Desktop, Prep, or Server) have the tools or permissions to change the underlying source data. Tableau can only edit duplications of the data contained within its own environment.

Organizations with a base level of data maturity, typically medium to large companies, often have established data sources and servers, such as Teradata, Snowflake, or even Tableau Server, which Tableau users are expected to utilize. However, it is certainly possible for data analysts and those in similar roles to find themselves establishing new sources. In any scenario, there are requirements and best practices for data that all users should be aware of.