Final answer:
Tableau defaults to showing data in a visual format. It provides immediate, intuitive understanding through visualizations like graphs and charts. The choice between visual and analytical methods depends on context and required accuracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using Tableau, data is primarily represented in a visual format, contrasting with Excel which defaults to displaying data in a numerical format. Tableau is designed for visual data exploration, enabling users to quickly create a wide range of visual representations such as graphs, charts, and maps. This approach facilitates an immediate and intuitive understanding of the data.
There are many ways to display data, with methods ranging from quantitative counts to qualitative insights. While tables are adept at presenting data linearly for easy location of specific points, visual methods like those used in Tableau can often convey complex information more effectively. The choice between analytical methods versus graphical representation depends on the accuracy required and the context of the data presentation.