Tableau Software is an American software company that makes tools for data visualization and business intelligence. Its software helps people turn information from databases and spreadsheets into charts, maps, dashboards, and other visual displays.
Tableau was founded in 2003 and is based in Seattle, Washington. In 2019, Salesforce bought Tableau for $15.7 billion.
History
Tableau developed from research done at Stanford University. Pat Hanrahan, Chris Stolte, and researcher Diane Tang worked on a data visualization system called Polaris.
The company was founded in 2003 by Hanrahan, Stolte, and Christian Chabot. It later moved its headquarters to Seattle.
In 2018, Tableau bought Empirical Systems, an artificial intelligence company started from research at MIT.
In 2019, Salesforce agreed to buy Tableau for $15.7 billion. Tableau then became part of Salesforce.
Products
Tableau software connects to databases, spreadsheets, cloud services, and other data sources. It can use this information to make charts, dashboards, and maps.
Its main products have included:
Tableau Desktop
Tableau Server
Tableau Public
Tableau Cloud
Tableau Prep
Tableau Mobile
Tableau Pulse
Tableau Public is a free service that allows users to create and share visualizations. Tableau also provides tools for preparing data and creating maps.
WikiLeaks controversy
In December 2010, Tableau removed visualizations made from information about the United States diplomatic cables leak published by WikiLeaks. The company said it acted after pressure from United States Senator Joe Lieberman.
In 2011, Tableau changed its policy for Tableau Public. The new rules created a formal complaint process and said that freedom of speech should be an important principle when reviewing content.
