Over-prepare calculations.
A candidate who passed describes the exam as formula heavy, with LOD expressions and table calculations they do not use day to day.
Salesforce Certified Tableau Data Analyst (Analytics-DA-201) Exam Guide
Validates skills in connecting to and transforming data, analyzing it with calculations, and building and publishing Tableau dashboards.
The exam checks whether you can choose the right Tableau feature or calculation for an analysis task. Explore and analyse data is 41% of the exam, so spend most of your time on calculated fields, table calculations and LOD expressions, built in your own workbooks.
Understand the exam
Syllabus
Connect to and transform data24%
- 1.1Connect to data sources
- 1.2Prepare data for analysis
- 1.3Perform data transformation in Tableau Prep
- 1.4Customize fields
Example scenario: Sales and targets live in two tables at different levels of detail. Would you use a relationship or a join, and why?
Explore and analyze data41%
- 2.1Create calculated fields
- 2.2Create table calculations
- 2.3Create and use filters
- 2.4Create parameters to enable interactivity
- 2.5Structure the data
- 2.6Map data geographically
- 2.7Summarize, model, and customize data by using the Analytics pane
- 2.8Create Level of Detail calculations
Example scenario: A view must show each customer's first order date regardless of the region filter. Which calculation and filter type would you use?
Create content26%
- 3.1Create charts
- 3.2Create dashboards and stories
- 3.3Add interactivity to dashboards
- 3.4Format workbooks, worksheets, and dashboards
Example scenario: Managers want to click a region on a map and see that region's product breakdown beside it. Which dashboard action would you add?
Publish and manage content on Tableau Server and Tableau Cloud9%
- 4.1Publish content
- 4.2Schedule data updates
- 4.3Manage published workbooks
Example scenario: A published dashboard should update every morning before the team starts work. What would you configure?
Official Tableau Data Analyst exam guide · Tableau 2024.2
Format
- Questions
- 60
- Duration
- 105 min
- Passing score
- 65%
- Delivery
- Test centre or online
- Languages
- English, Japanese
Question types
Choose the one correct answer from the options.
CertUp example
A bar chart shows sales by region. You want each bar to also show that region's share of total sales without changing the layout of the view. What should you use?
Show answer
A percent of total quick table calculation. It is computed across the view and shows each region's share directly, with no new fields needed.
Select every correct answer; the question tells you how many to choose.
CertUp example
Select TWO filter types that are applied before a FIXED level of detail expression is calculated.
Show answer
Extract filter and data source filter. Both limit the data before any calculation runs, while ordinary dimension and measure filters are applied after FIXED expressions unless they are added to context.
Eligibility and booking
Register through Trailhead Academy with your Trailhead account, then schedule with Pearson VUE at a test centre or online.
Make a study plan
Read the exam guide and take a short practice set to see which calculation types you need to learn.
Most candidates spend 40–100 hours. Plan for the low end if you use Tableau daily; plan for the high end if you rarely write table calculations or LOD expressions, or have not used Tableau Prep.
- 1Understand the examRead the syllabus and format, check you’re eligible and pick a target date.3 h
- 3Learn the core conceptsWork through one main course or book, topic by topic.36 h
- 4Practice with mock examsTake timed practice tests and review every mistake.18 h
- 5Prepare for exam dayBook the exam and check the ID and delivery rules.3 h
Learn the core concepts
Use one course to cover Desktop, Prep and Cloud. The official Trailhead module is a short review of each section.
Best full course2026 Tableau Certification Training: Desktop, Prep, Cloud
Best free official courseCert Prep: Tableau Data AnalystPredict, then check. Before you run a table calculation or LOD expression, write down what you expect it to return. The exam asks you to reason about results without Tableau open.
Practice with mock exams
Use practice exams to find which calculation types and features you miss. Rebuild each missed question in a workbook.
Cert Prep: Tableau Data AnalystTableau Data Analyst Certification 2026 - Practice ExamsMock Test Series: Salesforce Certified Tableau Data AnalystAre you ready?
- You can predict what a FIXED, INCLUDE or EXCLUDE expression returns in a view.
- You can choose between a relationship, join, union and blend.
- You can finish a fresh timed practice exam and explain your wrong answers.
Prepare for exam day
Salesforce exams are delivered by Pearson VUE. Choose the checklist for your appointment.
Before going to the test centre
Before testing from home
- Bring valid government-issued photo ID with the exact name on your booking.
- Arrive at the time in your confirmation and store your belongings as instructed.
- Keep time at the end to review flagged questions.
- Run the OnVUE system test on the computer and network you will use.
- Begin check-in 30 minutes before your appointment and have your government-issued photo ID ready.
- Clear your desk, remove other electronics and stay alone in the room for the whole exam.
- You see your pass or fail result when you finish.
- If you fail, wait 24 hours before a second attempt and 14 days before a third. A third failure means waiting for the next release cycle.
Advice from exam takers
Use more than one practice source.
One passer combined a practice-test set with a Udemy course and found the mix closer to the real exam's variety than a single set.
Skip beginner material you already know.
A candidate with a year of Tableau use found the beginner Desktop and Prep classes unnecessary and went straight to advanced material and the exam guide.