Tableau Prep Builder: Cleaning & Analyzing Data

Tableau Prep Builder: Cleaning & Analyzing Data

• demonstrate the steps involved in applying cleaning operations using Tableau Prep Builder
• use the Split tools to separate values into new fields
• perform manual group and replace operations by editing individual data values and selecting multiple similar values
• use fuzzy match group and replace tools in Tableau Prep Builder, including group by pronunciation, spelling, and common characters
• create and apply custom data roles to clean data quickly
• insert Aggregate steps to aggregate, group, or summarize data
• insert an Aggregate step to remove exact duplicates in dataset
• insert calculated fields into a flow
• create calculated fields using regular expressions
• demonstrate the steps involved in extending the functionality of Tableau Prep Builder via Python or R scripts

Tableau Prep Builder is all about preparing your data source and getting it ready for deeper analysis. To do this, you are going to need to know how to perform a variety of different operations, including clean-up steps, data aggregation, and split, group, and replacement actions. You may also need to introduce calculations and regular expressions into your flow via calculated fields, create custom data roles to control the data you are working with, or bring in additional operational capabilities via R and Python scripts.

Tableau Prep Builder: Opening & Connecting Data Sources

Tableau Prep Builder: Opening & Connecting Data Sources

• locate and open Tableau Prep Builder in a Windows 10 work environment
• explore the Tableau Prep Builder interface
• demonstrate the approach of connecting to data and adding data to the Flow pane
• connect to a server-based data source in Tableau Prep Builder
• demonstrate how to use the Data Interpreter tool to clean files
• use the Profile pane in Tableau Prep Builder to configure data at the Input step
• configure field settings at the Input step in Tableau Prep Builder
• change data types to define and correct data for any given scenario
• save standard and packaged flow files, using .TFL and .TFLX formats
• import flow files and steps in Tableau Prep Builder

Tableau Prep Builder is a tool for preparing and cleaning data before you start to analyze it. The core principle of Tableau Prep Builder is creating flows, based on series of highly visual steps, to process and prepare your data. Prep Builder allows you to set up connections with your raw data sources and gradually edit, structure, pivot, and filter your data in preparation for the vizzes you will create in Tableau.

Tableau Prep Builder: Working with Outputs

Tableau Prep Builder: Working with Outputs

• add an Output step and save data as a local file
• preview data and create data extracts for use in Tableau Desktop
• demonstrate the steps involved in publishing flows as data sources to Tableau Online
• browse, edit, and delete published outputs in Tableau Online
• work with Tableau Prep Builder alerts and errors to troubleshoot issues in a flow
• demonstrate how to configure Tableau Prep Builder

Once you've finished cleaning your data, troubleshooting errors, and working your flow into shape, you are going to need to get the information out. This is where Output steps come in. Tableau Prep Builder and Tableau Desktop are made to work together, and generating an extract file for analysis in Tableau Desktop is as easy as inserting a new step, defining the file output, type, and destination, and running your flow. If, however, you want to work on your data using a third-party application, such as Excel or a text editor, you can use the CSV format. Users working with Tableau Server and Tableau Online can also use their credentials to publish outputs to their desired platform.

Tableau Prep Builder: Working with Steps

Tableau Prep Builder: Working with Steps

• add Clean steps to start cleaning and performing operations on data
• work with fields and manage their properties in Tableau Prep Builder
• build and organize Flows by working with steps
• reorganize the layouts of Flows
• demonstrate one-click data filtering and basic filter parameters using Tableau Prep Builder
• demonstrate data range filtering, relative date filters, wildcard filters, and calculated filters in Tableau Prep Builder
• demonstrate the steps involved in Tableau Prep Builder to join data
• work with unions in Tableau Prep Builder
• use pivots to analyze and convert fields from a columnar structure to a row structure
• use a wildcard search to pivot large data sets or data that frequently changes over time
• pivot rows to columns when data is too normalized

Flows are made up of fields and steps, and Tableau Prep Builder offers a huge variety of powerful tools for cleaning, preparing, and manipulating your data. See how to add steps to clean, union, join, and pivot your data, apply a variety of different filters to drill down into your datasets, and browse and visualize your field settings and properties using the Flow pane and Flow Navigator.