How to Use Tableau AI

Getting started with Tableau AI

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up Tableau AI and create your first interactive dashboard to analyse your business data effectively. You’ll also discover how to make the most of its AI features for deeper insights.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to Tableau's website.
2. Click on the "Try Now" button located at the top right corner.
3. Choose the "Creator" plan for $75/user/month and fill in your details to create an account. There may be a free trial option available, so check for that if you want to explore first.
4. Once your account is created, log in and follow the prompts to download Tableau Desktop if you are using Windows or macOS.

Step 2: Your first dashboard

1. Open Tableau Desktop and click on "Connect" in the left sidebar to select your data source (Excel, SQL, etc.).
2. After importing your data, drag and drop fields from the Data pane onto the canvas to create visualisations (e.g. bar charts, line graphs).
3. To create a dashboard, click on the "New Dashboard" button at the bottom of the screen.
4. Drag your created sheets from the "Sheets" section onto the dashboard area.
5. Click "File" > "Save As" to save your dashboard.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use the "Explain Data" feature by right-clicking on a data point in your visualisation and selecting "Explain Data". This will generate insights into the factors affecting your data.
2. Experiment with different visualisation types available in the "Show Me" panel for better representation of your data.
3. Use filters to refine your data views by dragging fields into the Filters shelf.

Pro tip

Set up data source connections in Tableau Server to allow real-time updates to your dashboards. This way, your insights will always reflect the latest data without manual uploads.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid dragging too many fields onto your visualisation at once; this can lead to cluttered and confusing displays. Start with a few key metrics and build from there.