Tableau for Students: Introduction

Contents

What is Tableau for Students?
Why Should I Learn Tableau?
Who is Eligible?
How do I get Started?

What is Tableau for Students?

Since 2011, Tableau has been on a mission to provide access to data skills to our future generation through the Academic Program. To date, over 3 million students globally have acquired Tableau skills through classes or learning independently while enrolled in an accredited education institution. In 2024, with the launch of Tableau Desktop: Public Edition, we are able to provide access to our software to learners beyond the traditional classroom such as part-time learners, apprentice programs and a seasoned professional hoping to make a career switch.

Why Should I Learn Tableau?

Data skills are essential in today’s workplace, regardless of the industry or job role you pursue. Each year, LinkedIn publishes the Most In-Demand Skills, and analytics or data has consistently been in the top 10. As generative AI becomes more prevalent in our society, having data skills enables you to critically evaluate AI outputs and contribute to its positive development given that data is the foundation of AI.

With thousands of customers around the world, including Whole Foods, Texas Rangers and UN World Food Programme, Tableau is a highly sought-after analytical skill across various industries and departments. Interested in why other students are learning Tableau? Check out some of our academic success stories.

Who is Eligible?

Everyone with a goal to learn data skills! With the launch of Tableau Desktop: Public Edition, anyone eager to learn Tableau can now do so with just a click. This free Tableau Desktop application is available through Tableau Public and is perfect for learning and practicing data skills.

If you are a current student at an accredited institution and need access to professional Tableau Desktop or Tableau Prep Builder for your coursework, please ask your professor or lecturer to request classroom access via Tableau for Teaching.

How do I get Started?

The following resources are available for anyone seeking to learn and practice Tableau. If you are a student currently enrolled in an accredited institution, please refer to the “Resources Accessible via Educators” section for additional resources available with your professor’s assistance.

Learn Tableau

• Salesforce Trailhead is our free online learning platform and the front door to the Salesforce ecosystem, including Tableau.
• Tableau Webinars is a collection of curated webinars from Tableau. Learn how companies around the world are taking advantage of analytics to drive better decision making.
• Tableau Help is a collection of help articles located on the Tableau website. These articles cover everything from Tableau Basics to Tableau Server Administration.
• Tableau Knowledge Base is a curated collection of “Top Resources” for each Tableau product that includes relevant Tableau Help articles and other Technical Support articles that include information troubleshooting steps.

Join the Tableau Community

• Tableau Community Forums is a place to get your Tableau questions answered, collaborate with others and a space to help you get the most out of Tableau.
• Tableau Community Projects are created by the Tableau user community to help you learn, practice, and apply data skills across various topics and causes. Check out this full list of community projects organized by skill level.
• Tableau User Groups are inclusive meetup events for Tableau users to connect, learn, and discuss all things data. These events are perfect for networking with analytics professionals across different geographies, industries, roles and interests while advancing your analytics skills.
• Academic Ambassadors are students and educators passionate about promoting data skills on their campuses and in their communities. Tableau Ambassadors are selected through an application process each summer. These are community leaders that help to foster a positive and supportive space within the community.

Resources Accessible via Educators

• Tableau eLearning is available free-of-charge with the help of your professor. This platform offers over 20 hours of self-paced Tableau product training.
• Tableau Desktop Specialist Exam Discount is available with the help of your professor. This is an entry-level certification that tests the basic functionality of Tableau Desktop. For more information about the exam and how to prepare, check out this website.