A Brief Introduction To Tableau Desktop
A Brief Introduction To Tableau Desktop
Tableau Desktop
In This Chapter
▶▶Getting started with Tableau
▶▶Taking Tableau for a test drive
▶▶Understanding what you’re seeing
G
etting started with any new software product can be a real adventure.
Not only do you have new ways of doing things, but you also need
to deal with a completely new user experience — one that maybe displays
information
in ways that you’re not quite used to. This chapter helps introduce
you to Tableau and the exciting new opportunities it presents
you with for analyzing and visualizing your data.
Before you can begin using Tableau, you need to have it
installed on your computer. So, we begin this chapter
by showing you how to find and download a free
trial version. Additionally, in this chapter we show
you some of the things that you’ll learn to do in
Tableau. Sit back and relax. There’ll be plenty
of opportunities to try out the product in future
chapters
1
8 Part I: Getting Started with Tableau Desktop
Downloading the Tableau trial
Before you can begin using Tableau, you’ll have to pay a visit to the Tableau
Software website and download the current version of the software. You’ll
need to register first, but you don’t need to supply a credit card number, so
don’t worry about getting billed.
The trial version of Tableau that you download will work for 14 days, so
you’ll want to make sure that you have some free time in your schedule to try
out the application during that trial period. You probably don’t want to begin
your trial just before you leave for a relaxing vacation.
To download your free Tableau trial, follow these steps:
1. Open your web browser and visit www.tableau.com/products/
desktop and click on “Try it Free.”
The default version of Tableau Desktop starts to download automatically.
This will be either the 64-bit Windows version or the Mac version,
depending on your computer.
If you need a different version, cancel the download and click the 32-bit
Windows link or the Mac link to download one of those versions. (See
Figure 1-1.)
2. Wait for your download to complete.
That’s pretty much it. The next section walks you through how to install
your downloaded software.
Installing the trial software
After the download has completed, you can install the trial immediately or
wait until later. If you don’t want to install the software right now, be sure to
remember where you saved the file. If you do want to install the trial now,
follow these steps:
1. Click the Run button in the dialog box that appears in order to begin
the installation process.
If you don’t install the trial immediately, locate the saved file later and
run it to begin the installation.
2. Read the license agreement and then select the check box to indicate
that you’ve read and agree with the terms.
You won’t be able to install the software unless you select this
check box.