Day 3 - First Day of Data Preparation
Today we looked into terminology and Tableau Prep to gauge a better understanding on the stages of data preparation. The biggest takeaway from today is that you NEED. TO. PREP. YOUR. DATA.
Despite our first set of challenges being very basic I can already see the potential for horror down the line when facing tougher and more complex tasks. Here's how to prepare your data with 4 steps so you don't cause yourself future problems:
Step 1: Know your data
- Know your fields i.e. your categorical or measurable data.
Step 2: Your desired data
- Where do I need to get my data to so I can analyse it nicely?
For example, if you have multiple dates, are they all in the same column?
Step 3: Logical Transition
- This is your plan to get to get your data where it needs to be.
How am I going to get it there?
Step 4: Do it
- Get Tableau Prep open to start cleaning and cleaning and cleaning and cleaning and then output : )
- Maybe some aggregation if you need to...
Overall, a very good day for our first data prep session.