Tableau is often dubbed as “Excel on steriods”. However, even though Tableau is a powerful application, having knowledge of Excel remains essential for using Tableau effectively.

Why knowledge of Excel is essential for Tableau

The knowledge of Excel is crucial for learning Tableau due to the following reasons:

Similar concepts.

As beginners in Tableau, users will discover that Tableau operates in a manner similar to Excel. The functionalities of multiple worksheets, filtering, sorting, tables, and charts bear resemblance to Excel. Previous familarity with Excel will expedite the learning process in Tableau.

Using Excel as a data source for learning Tableau

To facilitate learning, Tableau offers a sample data source called Sample-Superstore.xls. In order to explore various Tableau functionalities, users can connect to this Excel datasource. Having a solid knowledge of Excel will greatly assist in comprehending the data source and how it operates within Tableau.

Conduct Tableau demos using Excel

When engaging with business users, there might be a need to showcase Tableau’s functionalities using sample data. Business data can be efficiently replicated in Excel. Estabilishing a connection to it in Tableau will enable you to present users with their final outcomes.

Understanding Business requirements

Often, business users convey dashboarding requirements by developing charts and calculations in the Excel workbooks. Mockups of the reports are also crafted in Excel. Profiency in Excel will aid in comprehending how visualizaitons and calculations are formulated in Excel, facilitating their replication in Tableau.

Data Preparation.

Excel is frequently utilized as a data source for Tableau dashboards. While data preparation can be accompolished using Tableau desktop and Tableau Prep builder, possessing Excel skills will assist you in preparing, cleaning, and organizing data prior to its import into Tableau.

Data Validation

The dashboards developed in Tableau are coverted to Excel for data validation. The Tableau calculations are cross-referenced with calculations created in Excel. A strong grasp of Excel functions such as SUM, SUMIFS, VLOOKUPs, and LOOKUPs proves invaluable for report validation and data analysis tasks.

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Before embarking on your journey of learning Tableau or concurrently with it, enhance your Excel skills, as they are indispensable and will remain relevant throughout your Business Intelligence endeavours.

To master Excel, refer the book – Excel Basics to Advanced. This comprehensive guide covers all Excel features, including advanced functions such as IF, Nested IFS, SUM, SUMIFS, VLOOKUP, LOOKUP, INDEX, MATCH, and more.