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COOKBOOK SERIES6 Steps to FasterData Blending for TableauCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
What is Data Blending for Tableau?Data Blending is the process of combining data from multiple sources tocreate an actionable analytic dataset. For Tableau users this is a critical andoften time consuming process.Tableau offers analysts the ability to deliver incredible insight to theirorganizations. As decision makers recognize the value of Tableau’s visualanalytics, analysts must find ways of dealing with increasing volumes of data,and complexity of the data required. In turn this forces analysts to spend manydays dealing with: Long waits for the right data for their analysis Manual preparation and integration of different data sets A lack of the advanced analytics that many decisions requireAlteryx provides the self-service advanced data blending capabilities requiredto reduce the time and effort to create the perfect dataset for a Tableauvisualization. This cookbook shows how you can get started with faster datablending for Tableau.Business analysts need deeperinsights fast to keep up with thepace of businessDecision makers are turning totools like Tableau to understanddata quicklyAnalysts need faster data blendingso they can spend their timevisualizing their dataCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
Alteryx Addresses the Speed Challenge:Faster Data Blending for TableauIn order to get a true view of a business problem, analysts need many sourcesof data brought together. This is why over 500 Tableau customers use Alteryxfor its powerful data blending capabilities usually only found in production DataIntegration tools. Like Tableau, Alteryx is built with the analyst in mind – with agraphical workflow that does not require coding or specialist skills.Data Prep and BlendingCapabilities for TableauUsers can take advantage of data in existing systems of record, for example adata warehouse, but then blend it with data on their desktop, in cloud systems,or even from big data systems such as Hadoop. This allows them to create thespecific dataset they need quickly, and to render it directly to Tableau. Data cleansing Access to structured,unstructured, and semistructured data Data integration Data transformation Data enrichmentCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
Alteryx Visual Analytics Kit for TableauTo make it easy to get started with Alteryx and Tableau, we created the AlteryxStarter Kit for Tableau. This kit provides many pre-built analytics applicationsand corresponding visualizations.This whitepaper workflow is based on the Multi-Channel Analysis sample thatis part of the Starter Kit. You can download the kit and explore this and otheranalytics workflows at alteryx.com/kitAlteryx Starter Kitfor Tableau Survey Analysis Advanced Data Blending Parsing XML Sending Polygons to Tableau Multi-Channel Analysis A/B Testing Market Basket Analysis Drive Time AnalysisDownload the Alteryx StarterKit for Tableau at alteryx.com/tableaukitCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
Recipe for Faster DataPrep and Blending1Get data from all the data sources needed for your analysis2Quickly cleanse your data to remove outliers, duplicate data,and other data noise3Optimize the data for visualization by moving rows to columnsand renaming fields4Join the specific data required from all your different typesof sources5Transform your data so that it is ready for analysis withoutmanual formulas or copying data6Output your results by launching them directly in Tableauwithout spending time looking for filesIngredients you need A copy of Alteryxalteryx.com/download A list of the data sources youwant to blend Access to each database orsource you are going to use A rough specification of thedataset you need A clear understanding of theanalysis you want to deliverSee demo videos on DataBlending for Tableau atalteryx.com/tableauCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
1Get data from all the datasources needed for your analysis By using the Input tool you can drag and drop data sources intothe Alteryx canvas to build an intuitive workflow Choose each data source you need by using the configurationpane for the Input tool Preview your datasets so that before you blend themtogether you can understand if you need to make changes laterin the workflowRecipe for AnalyticGreatness Ensure you have the rightcredentials to access yourdata sources Understand what problemsare in your data Plan how you will transformyou data in your workflowCustomer DatabaseProduct SalesCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
2Quickly cleanse your data toremove outliers, duplicate data,and other data noiseRecipe for AnalyticGreatness Make product names,categories, and user IDsconsistent as you bringmultiple datasets together Once you have accessed your datasets you can now prepare themfor blending and analysis Using Alteryx you cancreate a taxonomy of yourterms and create consistentcategory names Remove outliers and noisy data by using the Sample tool,in this case Use the Filter tool to isolate only the subset of data that you areinterested in Use the Unique tool to remove duplicate dataProduct SalesSample ToolFilter ToolTUTUUnique ToolCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
3Optimize the data for visualizationby moving rows to columns,renaming fields, and associatingdemographics Drag the Transpose icon onto the canvas, and transpose your columnardata to row format Use the Select tool to rename your fields to make your visualizationsmore readableRecipe for AnalyticGreatness Shape and label your datato optimize it for Tableau Associate 3rd partydemographic data suchas Experian Mosaic datawith your customersfor segmentation Use the Formula tool to take values from one set of cells and reusethem on other rows of dataMove sales data fromcolumns to rowsRename fields such as LORto Length of ResidenceAssociate Mosaic segments with each transactionso you can analyze product sales by segmentCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
4Join the specific data required fromall your different types of sources Accept and combine each stream of data into a single stream usingthe Union tool Join the product details to the customer transactions on the SKUnumber. In some cases fields don’t exactly match, but Alteryx letsyou join them anyway using Fuzzy MatchRecipe for AnalyticGreatness Bring together fields thatdon’t exactly match using theAlteryx Fuzzy Match tool Fuzzy Match haspreconfigured match stylesand can be used to identifynon-exact duplicates andmerge them or purge themUse the Union tool to combine eachdata source into a single streamLLJRRJoin product details tocustomer transactionsCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
5Transform your data so that it isready for analysis without manualformulas or copying data Use the Summarize tool to count the number of transactionsby Customer ID Then use the Summarize tool again to total the value of the purchasesRecipe for AnalyticGreatness Alteryx provides hundredsof tools that perform datatransformations Our whitepaper A Guideto Preparing Your Data forTableau gives great detailon transforming data forvisualizationSummarize: Count the number oftransactions, and add the value ofthe transactionsCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
6Output your results by launchingthem directly in Tableau withoutspending time looking for files Don’t spend time searching for files – launch Tableau directlyfrom Alteryx Alteryx can output directly to the Tableau TDE file format,providing performance gains by compiling computations prior torendering your visualizationsRecipe for AnalyticGreatness Use Alteryx Server on ascheduled basis to provideincremental updates toTDE files on Tableau Server,ensuring your visualizationsare always up-to-date Alteryx can also launch Tableau workbooks, updating theunderlying data but displaying the results in your dashboardsTableau Workbook Tool: Immediately launchyour results in your favorite Tableau WorkbookCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
Bonus : Use Advanced Analytics inAlteryx to Score Customers With your historical data in place, you can now predict customer value Calculate which customers added in the last week will becomeTop 5% Lifetime Value customers Determine which customers are the most likely to churn by turningto other vendors Alteryx provides self-service drag and drop predictive analytics thatanalysts love – no coding necessary!Recipe for AnalyticGreatness Use your blended data as thebasis for powerful predictiveand spatial analytics Reuse your Alteryxworkflows for new problemsand datasets – you cancontinue to build your ownintellectual propertyORUse the Forest Model tool to createa target variable based on ChannelUse the Score tool to output the original data stream withthe predicted value(s) of the modelCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
Alteryx Helps Sager Creek Becomean Analytics Driven Business“With Alteryx and Tableau,a week’s worth of workbecame a couple ofminutes. And with thedashboards available,we’ve been able toeliminate 4 hours ofweekly meetings.”Sager Creek has moved from manual labor and inventory calculationsinto a world of advanced analytics. They developed their analyticsprocesses in Alteryx in just a few hours, and output the results directly toTableau dashboards.Deeper Business InsightsSager Creek has gone from manual calculations to analytics that optimizelabor scheduling and inventory planningHours Not WeeksSager Creek has reduced inventory calculation work from one weekto a few minutes– Matthew HughesIntuitive WorkflowManager of Inventory and AnalyticsSager Creek has created these analytics workflows in just a few hourwith AlteryxCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
Consumer Orbit ProvidesClients with A Single CustomerView In Hours“We believetransformationalcompanies needtransformational tools.We’ve built our companyon Tableau and Alteryx.”Consumer Orbit is able to create new dashboards for every client, bycombining 10 or more sources of data. They use Alteryx, which enablesdata analysts to blend all those sources in hours, not weeks. Without theability to custom blend these sources quickly for every client, ConsumerOrbit would not be able to cost effectively offer their services.Deeper Business InsightsPerforming predictive analytics to drive marketing optimization anddecisions in an easy to use dashboard for each client– Bill EngelHours Not WeeksChairmanProcessing an entire consumer file of 60 trillion records in hours not daysIntuitive WorkflowBlending 10 sources of marketing data for every client in a few hoursCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
ResourcesPractice data blending in Alteryxalteryx.com/downloadWatch demo videos of Data Blending for Tableaualteryx.com/tableauDownload the Alteryx Starter Kit for Tableaualteryx.com/tableaukitView Customer videosalteryx.com/customersCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
Why Should Analysts Use Alteryx andTableau Together?They can deliver deeper insights fast to takeadvantage of business opportunitiesThey can shift from spending 2/3rds of their timepreparing data to analyzing itThey release IT from the burden of iterative datarequests, making IT happy!“ A manual process thattook days to scrub a listof prospects against CNAcurrent and past insuredsdata can now be done inminutes.”– CNA InsuranceCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
The Leader in Self-Service Data AnalyticsThousands of data analysts worldwide rely on Alteryx daily.alteryx.com/tableauCookbook Series 6 Steps to Faster Data Blending for Tableau
to reduce the time and effort to create the perfect dataset for a Tableau visualization. This cookbook shows how you can get started with faster data blending for Tableau. What is Data Blending for Tableau? Decision makers are turning to tools like Tableau to understand data quickly Busine
