Tableau Prep Builder and Data Maps Training Course

Introduction

Overview of Tableau Prep Builder

• Tableau Prep Builder is a powerful tool designed for government agencies and other organizations to prepare and clean data efficiently. It simplifies the process of transforming raw data into a format suitable for analysis.
• Key features include automated data cleaning, intuitive drag-and-drop functionality, and robust transformation options. These capabilities enhance data accuracy and reduce preparation time, thereby improving overall productivity for government operations.
• The user interface is designed to be user-friendly, with clear navigation and visual cues that guide users through the data preparation process.

Understanding the Role of Prep Builder in the Tableau Ecosystem

• Tableau Prep Builder integrates seamlessly with other Tableau products such as Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server, creating a cohesive environment for data analysis and visualization. This integration ensures that prepared data can be easily used across various stages of the data analytics lifecycle.
• The workflow in data analysis and visualization is streamlined by allowing users to prepare data once and then use it multiple times across different reports and dashboards, enhancing efficiency and consistency in government reporting.

Types of Data Connections

• Tableau Prep Builder supports connections to a wide range of cloud-based data sources, including Google Sheets, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and more. These connections facilitate the integration of diverse data sets from remote locations.
• Local files such as Excel spreadsheets, CSV files, and databases can also be connected, allowing users to work with data stored on their local systems or internal networks.
• Understanding different data formats and storage types is crucial for effective data management. Tableau Prep Builder provides tools to handle various data structures, ensuring that all necessary information is accessible and usable.

Managing Data Connections

• Data storage options can be configured to meet the specific needs of government agencies, including options for secure and compliant data handling.
• The tool supports both live and extracted data connections. Live connections allow real-time access to the latest data, while extracted connections create a snapshot that can be used offline or for performance optimization.

Cleaning and Shaping Data

• Identifying and managing null values and missing data is essential for maintaining data integrity. Tableau Prep Builder provides tools to handle these issues effectively, ensuring that the data is complete and reliable.
• Fields can be split, renamed, and merged to align with specific requirements, making it easier to organize and analyze data.
• Applying filters and grouping data helps users focus on relevant information and perform more accurate analyses. This feature is particularly useful for government agencies dealing with large datasets.

Basic Data Transformations

• Data can be pivoted, unpivoted, and aggregated to meet the needs of various analysis tasks. These transformations help users restructure data in a way that enhances its usability and insights.
• Joins and unions allow users to combine datasets from different sources, creating a unified view of the data. This is particularly useful for government agencies that need to integrate data from multiple departments or systems.
• The Data Interpreter feature automatically cleans up data, reducing manual effort and ensuring consistency.

Combining Data from Multiple Sources

• Data can be joined across different formats, including cloud, local, and database sources. This capability is essential for government agencies that need to integrate data from various internal and external systems.
• Blending and merging datasets effectively allows users to create comprehensive views of the data, enhancing the depth and breadth of analysis.
• Full, inner, left, and right joins provide flexibility in how datasets are combined, allowing for precise control over the integration process.

Advanced Combinations

• Using relationships to link datasets can create more complex and insightful analyses. This feature is particularly useful for government agencies that need to explore interconnected data points.
• Understanding the differences between joins and blends helps users choose the most appropriate method for their specific needs, ensuring accurate and meaningful results.

Creating Calculated Fields

• Basic calculations, including arithmetic operations, string functions, and date manipulations, can be performed to enhance data analysis. These calculations are essential for government agencies that need to derive new insights from existing data.
• Logical functions such as IF and CASE statements allow users to manipulate data based on specific conditions, providing greater flexibility in data preparation.

Performing Operations

• Data can be aggregated using sum, average, minimum, and maximum functions to summarize information and highlight key metrics. This is particularly useful for government reporting and decision-making processes.
• Dynamic calculated fields can be created and applied to datasets, allowing users to generate real-time insights based on changing data conditions.
• Custom calculations can be tailored to meet specific requirements, ensuring that the prepared data meets the unique needs of each agency or project.

Publishing to Tableau Server and Tableau Online

• The steps to publish prepared data for analysis are straightforward, allowing users to share their work with others within the organization. This feature is crucial for collaboration and ensuring that all stakeholders have access to up-to-date information.
• Scheduling updates for published data ensures that the latest information is always available, maintaining the relevance and accuracy of reports and dashboards.

Managing Data Updates

• Data sources can be refreshed in Tableau Prep Builder to ensure that analyses are based on the most current information. This feature is essential for government agencies that rely on real-time data.
• Automating workflow updates and running scripts can streamline the data preparation process, reducing manual effort and ensuring consistency across multiple datasets.

Understanding Geographic Data

• Geographic roles in Tableau include Country, City, Postal Codes, and more. Understanding these roles is essential for creating accurate and meaningful geographic analyses.
• Data can be prepared for mapping by adding latitude and longitude coordinates or using geocoding services. This preparation is crucial for government agencies that need to visualize data on maps.

Building Basic Maps

• Simple maps can be created using geographic data, providing a visual representation of information. This feature is useful for government agencies that need to communicate spatial relationships and trends.
• Map visuals can be customized with color, size, and detail to enhance the clarity and impact of the visualization.

Using Map Layers

• Data layers can be added to maps to provide deeper insights into the data. This feature allows users to overlay multiple datasets on a single map, creating more comprehensive visualizations.
• Map interactions and filters can be created to allow users to explore the data in more detail, enhancing the interactivity and usability of geographic analyses.

Working with Custom Geographies

• Custom shape files, such as regional or demographic data, can be imported into Tableau Prep Builder. This feature is useful for government agencies that need to visualize data using non-standard geographic divisions.
• Data can be plotted using these custom geographies, providing a more tailored and relevant view of the information.

Creating Filled Maps and Density Maps

• Data density across regions can be visualized using filled maps, which color-code areas based on specific values. This feature is useful for government agencies that need to highlight concentrations or distributions of data.
• Filled geographic maps can be created based on specific fields, allowing users to focus on particular aspects of the data.

Advanced Map Features

• Dual-axis maps can be created to display multiple data series on a single map, providing enhanced insights into complex relationships. This feature is particularly useful for government agencies that need to compare different datasets.
• Map layers and filters can be used to create interactive geographic visualizations, allowing users to explore the data in more detail and gain deeper insights.

Hands-on Data Preparation and Map Creation

• Data from cloud sources can be combined and transformed using Tableau Prep Builder. This hands-on approach allows users to see the practical benefits of the tool in action.
• Calculated fields and operations can be created in Prep Builder to enhance the data and prepare it for analysis. These steps are essential for ensuring that the data is ready for visualization.
• A comprehensive map dashboard can be built using prepared data, demonstrating how the entire process from data connection to visualization can be managed effectively.

Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios

• Solving business challenges using Tableau Prep and maps is a common application for government agencies. Case studies provide practical examples of how these tools can be used to address real-world issues.
• A data pipeline from connection to visualization can be built to streamline the entire process, ensuring that data is prepared, analyzed, and presented efficiently and effectively.

Summary and Next Steps