In this episode of unDUBBED, Fi and Sarah unpack their highlights from Tableau Conference 2025. Broadcasting from opposite sides of the Tasman, they dive into everything from the keynote announcements and Devs on Stage innovations to the emotion-charged Iron Viz showdown. Along the way, they reflect on the state of the Tableau community, the shift toward agentic AI, and what the future holds for data storytelling, design, and development.

Key Takeaways

• Tableau Conference 2025 was hosted virtually, showcasing cutting-edge innovations in analytics.

• The keynote centred around advancements in AI and introduced Tableau Next.

• Energy in the keynote felt more subdued than in previous years, possibly due to the room setup and livestream format.

• Tableau Next promises feature parity with Tableau Desktop, designed with a web-first approach.

• Devs on Stage delivered big-time with in-database Tableau Prep flows, smarter “Show Me” suggestions, and a revamped visual interface.

• Iron Viz highlighted the power of storytelling in data, with tributes and talent on display.

• Community engagement felt fragmented this year, with less traction across social platforms.

• Consumption-based pricing models were teased for Tableau Next – potentially a game-changer for smaller teams and freelancers.

• Accessibility and inclusive design in data visualisation came up repeatedly as key themes.

• Fi and Sarah shared their excitement for what’s ahead – especially new Tableau APIs and how the community might rally in this next chapter.

Links

• Tableau Conference Keynote - https://youtu.be/ROwf5jS1MZY?si=EsQwIAZSs4wSgDvB


• Devs on Stage - https://youtu.be/8sNHKl2tkMg?si=uFfQXZenAdA77cnG


• Iron Viz - https://youtu.be/X82_Ehg7xqI?si=Mcx9llK8d2N96RnR


• Tableau Blueprint - https://www.tableau.com/learn/blueprint


• Slack Community - https://www.tableau.com/community/slack


• Ken & Kevin - How to do cool stuff in Tableau: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7ci9hLvO44


• Tore & Nhung - Speed Tipping - https://www.salesforce.com/plus/experience/tableau_conference_2025/series/learning_at_tableau_conference_2025/episode/episode-s1e8


• Tristan - Beyond the Boundaries of Tableau - https://www.salesforce.com/plus/experience/tableau_conference_2025/series/datafam_at_tableau_conference_2025/episode/episode-s1e10


• Pablo - Colour Mastery: https://www.salesforce.com/plus/experience/tableau_conference_2025/series/learning_at_tableau_conference_2025/episode/episode-s1e10

Episode Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Tableau Conference 2025 Recap

01:12 Keynote Highlights and Observations

06:32 Exciting Developments in Tableau Next

10:48 Devs on Stage: A Showcase of Innovation

10:59 Diving into the Labs: Future Features

23:15 Exploring Authoring Extensions API

29:39 Exploring New APIs and Community Excitement

30:14 Tableau Pulse Research Agent: Insights and Concerns

32:31 The Sketch Tool: Innovation or Confirmation Bias?

34:46 Iron Viz: A Celebration of Data Storytelling

43:25 Diving into Iron Viz: Contestants and Their Stories