Getting Started with Tableau Public

Last updated on 2025-06-05 | Edit this page

Estimated time: 35 minutes

Overview

Questions

  • What is Tableau?
  • What is Tableau Public?
  • How do I install Tableau Public and open a dataset?
  • What kinds of data can Tableau help me visualize?

Objectives

  • Understand what Tableau is and the difference between the Public and Desktop versions.
  • Install and launch Tableau Public.
  • Load a sample dataset and become familiar with the interface.

What is Tableau?

Tableau is a data visualization platform that enables users to explore and communicate data effectively through interactive charts, dashboards, and maps. It’s widely used across many fields, including business, public policy, and research.

Tableau Public vs. Tableau Desktop

There are two main versions of Tableau:

  • Tableau Public is a free version that lets you create visualizations and publish them to a public web profile. It’s ideal for learning, sharing, and non-sensitive data.
  • Tableau Desktop is the full version available through paid licenses or free academic access for students. It includes additional features like saving locally and connecting to a broader range of data sources.

Feature Comparison Table for current Tableau Public and Desktop

Comparison of Tableau Desktop and Tableau Public features as of 2025
Feature Tableau Desktop Tableau Public (Desktop & Web)
Save Locally Yes Yes (as of 2025.1.2)
Private Workbooks Yes (local, Server, Cloud) No (primarily for public sharing; local saves are for personal use/prep for publish)
Data Sources Full (databases, cloud, files, etc.) Limited (CSV, Excel, Google Sheets, JSON, PDF, Spatial Files, WDC, etc.)
Live Connections Yes No (works with data extracts/snapshots)
Geospatial Files Yes Yes
Join/Blend Data Yes (full capabilities) Yes (for supported file types; limited cross-database/published source joins)
Export Options PDF, PPT, Image, Data, Crosstab, etc. Image, PDF, Data (when viewed on web); limited image export from desktop app only
Cost Paid license (free for students) Free

Launching Tableau and Connecting to Data

To get started, if Tableau Desktop (or Public) is in your dock, you can click it open. However, a standard method is to navigate to your Applications folder (or wherever you installed it) and launch it from there.

Once Tableau is open:

  1. Under Connect, click Text File.
Open Tableau and under Connect, select Text file
Open and connect a text file
  1. Browse to your downloaded CSV file and select it.
  2. Tableau will show a preview of the data. Click Sheet 1 to begin working.
Figure: After selecting your CSV file, Tableau displays a preview of your data source. Click "Sheet 1" at the bottom to proceed to the worksheet.
Worksheet 1 after selecting a CSV file

Key Points

  • Tableau helps you explore and present data using interactive visualizations.
  • Tableau Public is free and great for learning, but saves work to the web.
  • Tableau Desktop provides additional functionality and is free for students.
  • Use well-formatted CSVs to start quickly.