FA-0701Data & Analytics

Spotfire Essentials

Data preparation, interactive visualisations and a practical dashboard

Introduction

Why this course

This two-day beginner course introduces Spotfire through a prepared sales or operations dataset. Participants import and prepare data, configure visualisations, explore relationships and build a small interactive dashboard.

The course compares installed Windows and browser-based experiences, with exercises matched to available authoring features and permissions. Sharing and export depend on the selected environment; visualisations support analysis but do not automatically establish causal conclusions or guarantee business outcomes.

Learning outcomes

Navigate the selected Spotfire client and explain basic analysis concepts.
Import selected data, inspect relationships and address missing or inconsistent values.
Create and configure charts, cross tables and calculated expressions.
Use filters, marking and suitable property controls for interactive exploration.
Build a bounded dashboard and communicate findings with clear visual choices.
Save, export or publish using available permissions and explain further learning options.

Prerequisites

Basic table, row and column concepts and comfort using a computer.
No previous Spotfire experience is required.
Prepared access to a supported Windows application or suitable web-authoring environment; Mac users need the browser route or appropriate remote Windows access for installed-client exercises.

Training outline

4 modules

01Day 1 — Environment and data preparation4 topics

Spotfire in analytics and business intelligence
Installed Windows application and web clients; edition, authoring and permission differences
Business value of visual analytics and decision support
Understanding the user interface and workspace

Data sources and relationships

Importing data from local files and common sources
Spotfire data tables and data relationships
Data table properties and previews
Managing multiple data sources in an analysis

Preparation and expressions

Filtering and marking basics
Data transformations (e.g., pivot, unpivot)
Creating calculated columns and expressions
Handling missing or inconsistent data

02Day 1 — Visualisation fundamentals3 topics

Core visualisation types
- Bar charts
- Line charts
- Scatter plots
- Cross tables
- Heat maps
Configuring visualisation properties
Sorting, grouping, and legend options

03Day 2 — Dashboards and interactivity4 topics

Combining multiple visualisations into dashboards
User controls for interaction (filters, dropdowns)
Overview and Details displays
Dynamic drill-down and data exploration

Marking and linking visualisations
Filters and data panels
Using property controls for driven interactions
Adding text areas and insights

04Day 2 — Sharing and practical walkthrough3 topics

Exporting charts and data views
Saving analysis files
Publish to a library or web environment where authoring permissions and deployment support it

Guided dashboard and next steps

Real dataset walkthrough (e.g., sales or operations data)
Step-by-step creation of a dashboard
Tips for effective visual communication

Best Practices and Next Steps

Visualisation design best practices
How to continue learning Spotfire (community resources, official docs and courses)
Official learning resources and environment-specific support options

A programme built around your team.

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