What is VizQL? (2024)

Subject Area: Architecture

Level of complexity: Beginner

Approximate Time to complete: 15 minutes

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VizQL is a visual query language for databases.

Simply put, it is the proprietary query language behind the Tableau product suite's visual rendering. It is essentially a translator of SQL queries that traditionally return numbers and tables into an effortless visual analysis. As a user drags and drops data around the Tableau interface, each action generates a query that is subsequently translated into the VizQL language and renders as Tableau visuals.

Because VizQL is a language-based approach, it helps to facilitate 3 important goals that underlie Tableau's design principles: Expressiveness, Incremental Construction, and Alternatives (see page 24 of fourth link above).

VizQL supports the query and analytics capabilities of standard database query languages, SQL and MDX. It extends these capacities by adding the support for creating visualizations of the results returned from the query. Like the standards, VizQL generates a WHERE clause for filters, an ORDER BY clause for sorting, a GROUP BY clause for controlling level of detail and aggregation, etc. Where VizQL expands upon this, is that it contains a syntax for clearly describing the row and column structure of a table and the resulting visual. It also allows for a user to select a corresponding mark type and to control the visual attributes of those marks. Collectively, the row and column ‘shelves', ‘marks card', and corresponding filters – collectively the VizQL language itself - generates the SQL expression that is sent to the datat source.

As a declarative language, VizQL allows a user to describe ‘what' picture should be created, not necessarily ‘how' to make it. In this way, VizQL is the engine under the hood that makes Tableau go. Any data worker or business user without any prior knowledge of Query Languages can harness the power of their data using Tableau thanks to the VizQL process underneath!

Here is an example of how the architecture for VizQL works, below:

What is VizQL? (1)

See below for an example of a simple view created in Tableau through several drag-and-drop actions.

What is VizQL? (2)

The necessary SQL was compiled automatically and can be viewed in the log files or the performance recorder. See the view from the performance recorder below.

What is VizQL? (3)

VizQL runs in all Tableau platforms: Tableau Desktop, Server, and Online. It is proprietary to the Tableau Development team and therefore cannot be viewed or customized by a Tableau user.

What is VizQL? (2024)

FAQs

What does VizQL stand for in Tableau? ›

VizQL is a visual query language for databases.

It is essentially a translator of SQL queries that traditionally return numbers and tables into an effortless visual analysis.

What is the difference between SQL and VizQL? ›

VIZQL stands for visualization Query Language (SQL + DL). It is the combination of a structured query language (SQL) which is used to communicate with the data and Descriptive Language (DL) is used to convert the textured data into visualizations.

Which SQL does Tableau use? ›

Tableau's patented VizQL engine acts behind the scenes to translate your actions in Tableau into efficient SQL queries, so unlike many other tools, working with Tableau doesn't require that you write complex SQL query before beginning your analysis.

What coding language does Tableau use? ›

Tableau has its own proprietary language called VisQL (similar to SQL), but most of the desktop code is written in C++.

What is Viz short for in Tableau? ›

As you craft views and look for ways to reveal more details about data to your audience, you can embed visualizations within tooltips—also known as "Viz in Tooltip." When a user hovers over a mark, the tooltip displays relevant data and details from another visualization filtered to that mark.

Why SQL is needed in Tableau? ›

Using SQL and Tableau together takes the data analysis to the next level. We can easily connect the SQL Server to Tableau and extract the data directly into it. Tableau enables the users to toggle connections with a click to apply in-memory queries to a larger dataset.

Is VizQL a query language that translates? ›

VizQL [24] , used by Tableau, is a visual query language that translates drag-and-drop actions into data queries and then expresses data visually. ...

What kind of technology is a Tableau Viz? ›

Tableau is a data visualization tool that allows campus analysts to dynamically connect to and integrate hundreds of types of data sources ranging from an Excel spreadsheet, to an on-premise or cloud database, to an unstructured web server log file, to a student data API.

What is the difference between SQL Database and SQL virtual machine? ›

Azure SQL Database offers Database-as-a-service (DBaaS-PaaS). With SQL Database, you don't have access to the machines that host your databases. In contrast, Azure Virtual Machine offers Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS). Running SQL Server on an Azure VM is similar to running SQL Server in a On-Premise datacenter.

Is SQL easier than Tableau? ›

Tableau is by far the easiest to use for beginners, as it is highly intuitive, and allows you to easily manipulate the data in a user interface, rather than coding SQL statements (although you can do that, too).

Should I learn SQL before Tableau? ›

SQL is not required to learn Tableau and work with Tableau; however, it is essential for securing a job because once you have an offer and begin working on a task, you will need to create the Tableau dashboard by using data. The next question is how the data will reach you.

Which database is best for Tableau? ›

Database Apps Integrated with Tableau
  • Snowflake. 4.6. (70) ...
  • Improvado. 4.6. (22) ...
  • SQL Sentry. 4.7. (16) ...
  • Coginiti. 5.0. (1) ...
  • ArangoDB. 4.0. (1) ...
  • Cybus Connectware. 4.0. (1) ...
  • Actian Avalanche. 3.0. (1) A fully managed cloud data platform service. ...
  • Firebolt. (0) The Next Gen Data Warehouse as a Service. learn more.

Is Tableau easier than Python? ›

Tableau allows for more interactivity and is easier to make plots with than coding. The most important when deciding which one to use is regarding the workflow. Python is the best when working with a variety of data that requires advanced analytics.

Can I write Python in Tableau? ›

To include Python scripts in your flow, you need to configure a connection between Tableau and a TabPy server. Then you can use Python scripts to apply supported functions to data from your flow using a pandas dataframe.

Can you learn Tableau without coding? ›

To learn tableau we need not require any programming languages, coding, technical knowledge, or basics of using any tools.

Why is viz used? ›

It is used as a synonym for "namely", "that is to say", "to wit", "which is", or "as follows". It is typically used to introduce examples or further details to illustrate a point. For example: "all types of data viz. text, audio, video, pictures, graphics, can be transmitted through networking".

What is an example of using viz? ›

viz. used, especially in written English, when you want to give more detail or be more exact about something you have just written: We both shared the same ambition, viz., to make a lot of money and to retire at 40.

What is viz known for? ›

VIZ Media LLC is an American entertainment company headquartered in San Francisco, California, focused on publishing manga, distribution and licensing Japanese anime, films, and television series.

How long do I need to learn Tableau? ›

Tableau is considered a relatively easy-to-learn data analysis and visualization tool and can be mastered by anyone with enough time and practice. On average, it takes most people between two and six months to learn this software. This process can take even longer if you're looking to master all of Tableau's functions.

How do I write a SQL query in Tableau? ›

After connecting to your data, double-click the New Custom SQL option on the Data Source page. Type or paste the query into the text box. The query must be a single SELECT* statement. When finished, click OK.

How SQL is connected to Tableau? ›

Start Tableau and under Connect, select Microsoft SQL Server.
...
Then do the following:
  1. Enter the name of the server you want to connect to. ...
  2. (Optional) Enter a database name if you want to connect to a contained database.
  3. Select how you want to sign in to the server. ...
  4. Specify whether to Read uncommitted data.

Is SQL just a query language? ›

Structured query language (SQL) is a programming language for storing and processing information in a relational database. A relational database stores information in tabular form, with rows and columns representing different data attributes and the various relationships between the data values.

Is SQL a real language? ›

SQL is, fundamentally, a programming language designed for accessing, modifying and extracting information from relational databases. As a programming language, SQL has commands and a syntax for issuing those commands.

Is SQL an English like language? ›

Simple SQL statements read like English sentences. SQL writes a statement in an English way with English prepositions unnecessarily attached, while other main programming languages only use English words as the mnemonic of a certain concept or operation, producing formal program statements instead of English sentences.

What is Tableau now called? ›

Tableau CRM (formerly Einstein Analytics) is a revolutionary customer and business analytics platform that's optimized for mobile use and brings flexible customer analytics to your CRM.

Does Tesla use Tableau? ›

Tesla Motors charged up collaboration with help from Tableau.

What are 3 different data visualizations options in Tableau? ›

Types of Charts and Graphs
  • Bar Chart. Bar charts are one of the most common data visualizations. ...
  • Line Chart. The line chart, or line graph, connects several distinct data points, presenting them as one continuous evolution. ...
  • Pie Chart. ...
  • Maps. ...
  • Density Maps. ...
  • Scatter Plot. ...
  • Gantt Chart. ...
  • Bubble Chart.

What database is better than SQL? ›

NoSQL is preferred over SQL in many cases because it offers more flexibility and scalability. The primary benefit of using a NoSQL system is that it provides developers with the ability to store and access data quickly and easily, without the overhead of a traditional relational database.

Which SQL Database is best for machine learning? ›

Best Databases for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
  • Redis. Redis is a top-notch open-source, in-memory data structure many people currently use in the market. ...
  • PostgreSQL. ...
  • MySQL. ...
  • MongoDB. ...
  • MLDB. ...
  • Microsoft SQL Server. ...
  • Apache Cassandra.
Feb 8, 2023

What is the difference between table and virtual table in SQL? ›

The main difference between them is that a table is an object that consists of rows and columns to store and retrieve data whenever the user needs it. In contrast, the view is a virtual table based on an SQL statement's result set and will disappear when the current session is closed.

Why SQL is so tough? ›

Like any programming language, SQL uses a unique syntax which must be mastered in order to write efficient code. The most commonly used SQL commands are as follows: SELECT – to locate or extract data from the database. UPDATE – to make adjustments and modify data.

Is SQL harder than Excel? ›

Once you know how the syntax works, manipulating data can be much faster using SQL than with Excel. Another great aspect is that the syntax is similar to English which makes it arguably the easiest computer language to learn.

What is the easiest SQL to learn? ›

If you're looking for my personal opinion, I would pick SQLite to start with for its ease of use, then move to PostgreSQL to learn how SQL servers work in the cloud. To this day, most small projects of mine, such as web scraping, start out with SQLite and graduate to a Postgres cloud solution when needed.

Is it necessary to learn Excel before SQL? ›

That said, learning one tool may make it much easier to learn the other. Most data analysts learn both Excel and SQL. They use SQL to work in businesses and communicate with large databases and bust out Excel to solve quicker data analysis problems. To become a strong data analyst, it's recommended you learn both.

Is SQL enough to be a data analyst? ›

Knowing SQL lets you update, organize, and query data stored in relational databases, as well as modify data structures (schema). Since almost all data analysts will need to use SQL to access data from a company's database, it's arguably the most important skill to learn to get a job.

Do you need to be good at math to learn SQL? ›

You do need some basic math to use SQL. You'll need to know about “less than”, “greater than”, and “equal to” signs – although you can get a quick refresher online if you need to. You'll be using SQL to add, subtract, divide, and multiply. In time, you'll also learn some simple statistics.

Why Tableau is preferred over Excel? ›

Excel works well when you have to create quick, one-off reports. Tableau is helpful when you want a more detailed analysis of your business reports. Gain expertise in the latest Business analytics tools and techniques with the Business Analyst Master's Program.

Is Tableau easier than Powerbi? ›

Which tool is easier to use? Power BI is generally considered easier to use for newer users and those who are not data analysts. Tableau is more popular with experienced data analysts, as it's known to have a steeper learning curve.

Which is better Powerbi or Tableau? ›

User Interface: Tableau has a more user-friendly and intuitive interface, with drag-and-drop functionality and easier-to-use visuals. Power BI can take a bit more time to learn but provides more robust functionality for advanced users.

What is the toughest part in Tableau? ›

Many Tableau users consider data preparation the most challenging part of using Tableau. This process involves collecting, combining, structuring, cleaning, and transforming raw data to get it ready to be processed and analyzed.

Is Tableau alone enough to get a job? ›

Tableau is not enough to get a job. The software assists data scientists and analysts in designing quick and intuitive data visualizations. Therefore, a Tableau-specific job still requires programming language training to do well. Most Tableau jobs require a data or computer science-related degree.

What is the salary of Tableau Python? ›

Average salary for a Tableau Developer in India is 5.8 Lakhs per year (₹48.3k per month). Salary estimates are based on 7815 latest salaries received from various Tableau Developers across industries.

Can Tableau write to Excel? ›

You can export directly to Excel the data used to generate the view formatted as a crosstab. When you export your view as a crosstab, Tableau automatically opens the Excel application and pastes a crosstab version of the current view into a new Excel workbook.

Does Tableau use R or Python? ›

Tableau is nothing but a reporting solution and visual analytics that establishes a direct connection to Python, R, and more. It is specifically designed for those domain experts who have a clear understanding of the data.

What is an advantage of Python over Tableau? ›

It enables you to share outcomes with the rest of your business as dashboards. With Python, with libraries like Bokeh, Altair, and Plotly, you can visualize data similarly to Tableau and create immersive visualizations, but you have a lot more flexibility.

Should I learn Excel before Tableau? ›

To expedite the Tableau learning process, you should start by studying data types and structures and have a working knowledge of spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel.

Can Tableau be self taught? ›

Self-Paced eLearning

Build your analytics skills from anywhere, anytime. Choose self-paced eLearning for maximum flexibility as you master Tableau.

Can I learn Tableau and get a job? ›

If you've already learned Tableau and want to get a job in the field, there are several steps to take. First, ensure you have experience with the product—whether that means working on projects or just using it in your free time. Then, you should build up your portfolio by creating sample dashboards and visualizations.

How to code SQL in Tableau? ›

Connect to a custom SQL query
  1. After connecting to your data, double-click the New Custom SQL option on the Data Source page.
  2. Type or paste the query into the text box. The query must be a single SELECT* statement.
  3. When finished, click OK.

What is the difference Tableau and SQL? ›

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database. Tableau Desktop is a data visualization product from Tableau. It connects to a variety of data sources for combining disparate data sources without coding.

What kind of technology is Tableau Viz? ›

Tableau is a data visualization tool that allows campus analysts to dynamically connect to and integrate hundreds of types of data sources ranging from an Excel spreadsheet, to an on-premise or cloud database, to an unstructured web server log file, to a student data API.

Is Tableau SQL or Python? ›

To put it simply – SQL helps us store and manipulate the data we are working with, Python allows us to write code and perform calculations, and then Tableau enables beautiful data visualization.

How to write SQL query? ›

How to Create a SQL Statement
  1. Start your query with the select statement. select [all | distinct] ...
  2. Add field names you want to display. field1 [,field2, 3, 4, etc.] ...
  3. Add your statement clause(s) or selection criteria. Required: ...
  4. Review your select statement. Here's a sample statement:
Oct 13, 2022

Does Tableau require coding? ›

What is required to learn Tableau? To learn tableau we need not require any programming languages, coding, technical knowledge, or basics of using any tools. There is no prerequisite.

How long does it take to learn SQL and Tableau? ›

Tableau is considered a relatively easy-to-learn data analysis and visualization tool and can be mastered by anyone with enough time and practice. On average, it takes most people between two and six months to learn this software.

Is Tableau or SQL easy to learn? ›

Tableau and SQL Workbooks

Tableau is by far the easiest to use for beginners, as it is highly intuitive, and allows you to easily manipulate the data in a user interface, rather than coding SQL statements (although you can do that, too).

What is Tableau called now? ›

Tableau CRM (formerly Einstein Analytics) is a revolutionary customer and business analytics platform that's optimized for mobile use and brings flexible customer analytics to your CRM.

Is Tableau owned by Microsoft? ›

Tableau is an interactive data visualization tool from Tableau Software, a data visualization company HQ in the USA. It was acquired by Salesforce in 2019.

What is the salary of SQL Tableau Python? ›

Work From Home Python SQL Tableau Salary
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$141,000$68
75th Percentile$104,000$50
Average$79,360$38
25th Percentile$48,500$23

What is the difference between SQL Excel and Tableau? ›

Microsoft Excel is a spreadsheet application used for calculations, statistical operations, data analysis, and reporting. Tableau is a business intelligence and data visualization tool to get insights from data, find hidden trends, and make business decisions.

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