Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to mentor several early-career Tableau developers through the Data Visualization Society’s mentorship program. It’s one of the most rewarding things I do! Each time a new mentorship cohort begins, I share my go-to resources for learning Tableau, from videos and blogs to books and community programs. Whether you’re just starting out or want to sharpen your skills, here’s what I recommend:
YouTube Channels to Learn Tableau
Short how-to videos are a great way to build confidence and learn new techniques. These are my top three Tableau YouTubers:
- Andy Kriebel: Co-founder of #MakeoverMonday and a Tableau Zen Master, Andy’s videos are practical and approachable.
- Sqlbelle: Donabel Santos’ tutorials are beginner-friendly and clearly explain key Tableau concepts.
- Tableau Tim: Tim’s channel covers a wide range of Tableau topics, from dashboard design to calculated fields to what’s new in the latest release of Tableau.
Blogs, Newsletters & Other Learning Sites
- Flerlage Twins: An absolute goldmine of Tableau tutorials, tips, and visual inspiration.
- Ryan Sleeper’s Tableau Tips: Clear, concise, and beautifully designed guides.
- Donna Coles’ Blog: Solutions to many WorkoutWednesday challenges, which are great for learning advanced techniques.
- Tableau Bites by Steve Adams at Tableau Training: A curated newsletter that rounds up the latest Tableau news and resources from across the #DataFam.
Books I Recommend
If you prefer learning through books, these are excellent additions to your bookshelf:
- Learning Tableau by Joshua N. Milligan – A thorough, accessible introduction that really helps connect the dots.
- Tableau Strategies by Ann Jackson & Luke Stanke – Packed with hands-on examples and downloadable datasets.
- Data Modeling with Tableau by Kirk Munroe – Helpful for understanding how to structure your data for success.
- Tableau Cookbook for Experienced Professionals by Pablo Sáenz de Tejada & Daria Kirilenko – A great reference for seasoned users looking to deepen their skills.
Get Involved in the Tableau Community
The Tableau Community is one of the most welcoming and supportive tech communities out there! Many Tableau User Groups (TUGs) meet virtually and are open to all. Here are a few that stand out:
- Analytics Tableau User Group
- Tableau Newbies User Group
- Career PathMakers
Attending TUGs is a great way to stay inspired and build your network.
Practice Makes Progress: Build Your Portfolio
Participating in Tableau Community Projects is one of the best ways to improve your skills and build a public portfolio. Here are a few I recommend:
- WorkoutWednesday – Focuses on technical challenges and advanced techniques
- Back2VizBasics – Great for strengthening your foundational skills
- MakeoverMonday – Practice redesigning real-world visualizations
All of these come with ready-to-use datasets, so you can dive right in. And don’t forget to explore Tableau Public for inspiration from other data viz creators!
Want to learn more about how community programs can benefit your Tableau journey? Check out my blog post here.
Whether you’re mentoring others or just starting your own Tableau journey, I hope these resources are helpful. Feel free to share your own favorites—I’m always looking to add to this list!
Happy Vizzing!
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