In this section, we will guide you through the process of installing Tableau on your computer. Tableau offers different products, but for this course, we will focus on Tableau Desktop, which is the primary tool for creating visualizations and dashboards.

1. Visit the Tableau Website:

   • Go to the official Tableau website: Tableau Download Page.

2. Choose Your Version:

   • Select the version of Tableau Desktop that is compatible with your operating system (Windows or Mac).

3. Start the Download:

   • Click on the download button to start downloading the installer file.

For Windows:

1. Run the Installer:

   • Locate the downloaded .exe file and double-click it to run the installer.

2. Accept the License Agreement:

   • Read through the license agreement and click on the checkbox to accept the terms. Then, click on the "Install" button.

3. Choose Installation Options:

   • You can choose the default installation options or customize the installation directory and other settings. For most users, the default options are sufficient.

4. Complete the Installation:

   • The installer will proceed with the installation. Once completed, click on the "Finish" button.

For Mac:

1. Open the Installer:

   • Locate the downloaded .dmg file and double-click it to open the installer.

2. Drag Tableau to Applications:

   • Drag the Tableau icon into the Applications folder.

3. Complete the Installation:

   • Once the copying process is complete, you can eject the installer and find Tableau in your Applications folder.

1. Launch Tableau Desktop:

   • Open Tableau Desktop from your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).

2. Enter Your License Key:

   • If you have a license key, enter it when prompted. If you do not have a license key, you can start a free trial by clicking on the "Start Trial" button.

3. Sign In or Register:

   • You may be prompted to sign in with your Tableau account or register for a new account. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete this process.

1. Open a Sample Workbook:

   • To ensure that Tableau Desktop is installed correctly, open one of the sample workbooks provided by Tableau. You can find these in the "Sample Workbooks" section on the start page.

2. Explore the Interface:

   • Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Tableau interface. We will cover the interface in more detail in the next section.

• Error Message: "Installation Failed":
  • Ensure that you have sufficient disk space and administrative privileges on your computer.
  • Try downloading the installer again in case the file was corrupted during the download.

• Invalid License Key:

  • Double-check the license key for any typos.
  • Ensure that the license key is for the correct version of Tableau Desktop.

• Trial Period Expired:

  • If your trial period has expired, you will need to purchase a license to continue using Tableau Desktop.

By following these steps, you should now have Tableau Desktop installed and ready to use on your computer. In the next section, we will provide an overview of the Tableau interface to help you get started with creating your first visualization. If you encounter any issues during the installation process, refer to the troubleshooting tips or visit the Tableau support page for further assistance.