Data Visualization using Tableau

Data Visualization using Tableau

Tableau is a trending and market-leading BI tool used to visualize and analyse your data in an easily digestible format. It allows you to work on live data-set and spend more time on data analysis rather than data wrangling.

Let us consider the following example to understand this:The following image shows the x and y co-ordinates of different points to be plotted on a graph. The numbers look almost the same, don’t they? Maybe the lines will look similar after we plot each set on the graph.

So, now take a look at the image below when we plot these points in our graph:

You see how different they look like when you actually visualize it. It wasn’t possible for us to figure out the nature of each line until we visualized it.

Difference between Excel and Tableau

Both Excel and Tableau are data analysis tools, but each tool has its unique approach to data exploration. However, the analysis in Tableau is more potent than excel.

Excel works with rows and columns in spreadsheets whereas Tableau enables in exploring excel data using its drag and drop feature. Tableau formats the data in Graphs, pictures that are easily understandable.

Parameters	Excel	Tableau
Purpose	Spreadsheet application used for manipulating the data.	Perfect visualization tool used for analysis.
Usage	Most suitable for statistical analysis of structured data.	Most suitable for quick and easy representation of big data which helps in resolving the big data issues.
Performance	Moderate speed with no option to quicken.	Moderate speed with options to optimize and enhance the progress of an operation.
Security	The inbuilt security feature is weak when compared to Tableau. The security update needs to be installed on a regular basis.	Extensive options to secure data without scripting. Security features like row level security and permission are inbuilt.
User Interface	To utilize excel to full potential, macro and visual basic scripting knowledge is required	The tool can be used without any coding knowledge.
Business need	Best for preparing on-off reports with small data	Best while working with big data.
Products	Bundled with MS Office tools	Comes with different versions such as the Tableau server, cloud, and desktop.
Integration	Excel integrates with around 60 applications	Tableaus integrated with over 250 applications
Real time data exploration	When you are working in excel, you need have an idea of where your data takes you to get to know the insights	In Tableaus, you are free to explore data without even knowing the answer that you want. With the in-built features like data blending and drill-down, you will be able to determine the variations and data patterns.
Easy Visualizations	When working in excel, we first manipulate the data that is present and then the visualization such as the different charts, graphs are created manually. To make the visualizations easily understandable, you should understand the features of excel well.	Whereas in Tableau, the data is visualized from the beginning.

To conclude, Tableau beats Excel in major areas like the interactive dashboards, visualizations, capabilities to work with large-scale data and many more.

Reference:

1. https://www.edureka.co/blog/tableau-tutorial/
2. https://www.guru99.com/what-is-tableau.html