This chapter covered key concepts of how Tableau works with data. Although you will not usually be concerned with what queries Tableau generates to query underlying data engines, having a solid understanding of Tableau's paradigm will greatly aid you as you analyze data.

We looked at multiple examples of different connections to different data sources, considered the benefits and potential drawbacks of using data extracts, considered how to manage metadata, dove into details on joins and blends, and finally, took a look at options for filtering data.

Working with data is fundamental to everything you do in Tableau. Having an understanding of connecting to various data sources, working with extracts, customizing metadata, and the difference between joins and blends, will be key as you begin deeper analysis and more complex visualizations, such as those covered in the next chapter.