---
schema_version: "1"
id: 7f3e14057c23f726d35d7f348e5bd6b6092b077e095ba4aa0cf0acaf3852d034
title: Salesforce Analytics Tools
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/analytics/264-0-0/analytics_matrix.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.analytics_matrix.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: d0c04497dcc0ed6d5e385cb3f9d53342195af5268186b2be9feb4061b57fd5af
description: Salesforce offers several tools to help you analyze your data and act on it. Reports and dashboards are built into Salesforce. Connect data and create interactive visualizations with CRM Analytics, a Salesforce-native tool. Tableau is a flexible analytics platform with cloud, on-premises, and desktop applications. Use this matrix to understand each tool’s capabilities.
products:
  - Cross Cloud
release: "264"
---
# Salesforce Analytics Tools

Salesforce offers several tools to help you analyze your data and act on it. Reports and dashboards are built into Salesforce. Connect data and create interactive visualizations with CRM Analytics, a Salesforce-native tool. Tableau is a flexible analytics platform with cloud, on-premises, and desktop applications. Use this matrix to understand each tool’s capabilities.

<table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small ">
      <colgroup>
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
      </colgroup>
      <thead class="slds-text-title_caps ">
        <tr class="">
          <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;" id="d77145e38">Develop tools and data analysis for
            decision-making </th>
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <tr class="">
          <td data-label="Develop tools and data analysis for decision-making" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e38 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Reports and Dashboards</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.rd_reports_dashboards_limits_overview.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Reports and Dashboards
                Limitations, Allocations, and Technical Requirements</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.datacloud_reports_dashboards_overview.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank"><span>Data 360</span> Reports and
                Dashboards</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.rd_reports_build.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Build a
                Report</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.rd_dashboards_build.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Build a
                Dashboard</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e38 ">
            <p>
              <strong>CRM Analytics</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_connectors_salesforce_local.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Connect to Local Salesforce
                Data</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_connectors_remote.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Connect to Remote Data Outside
                of Salesforce</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.analytics_integrate_data_prep_overview.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Clean, Transform, and Load
                Data</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sf.analytics_direct_data_for_cdp.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">CRM Analytics Direct Data for
                <span>Data 360</span></a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_explorer.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Explore and Visualize Your
                Data</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboard_build_flex.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Build CRM Analytics
                Dashboards</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e38 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Tableau</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.tableau_sfdata.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Connect
                to Salesforce Data</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=data.c360_a_dc_for_tableau.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Unlock Hidden Insights with
                Tableau for <span>Data 360</span></a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-gb/data_structure_for_analysis.htm" target="_blank">Structure Data for
                Analysis</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/gettingstarted_overview.htm" target="_blank">Get Started with Building
                Views</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/analyze.htm" target="_blank">Analyze Data</a>
            </p>
          </td>

        </tr>
      </tbody>
    </table> <table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small ">
      <colgroup>
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
      </colgroup>
      <thead class="slds-text-title_caps ">
        <tr class="">
          <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;" id="d77145e205">Bring data into decision-making
            processes</th>
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <tr class="">
          <td data-label="Bring data into decision-making processes" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e205 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Reports and Dashboards</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.rd_reports_export_connect.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Export and Connect Reports to
                Other Tools</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_drilldown.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Drill Down into Your Reports to
                Learn Even More</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.dashboards_link_from_component_overview_lex.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Link from Dashboard Widgets in
                Lightning Experience</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.dashboards_embed.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Embed Dashboards on the Home
                Tab and in Lightning Apps</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e205 ">
            <p>
              <strong>CRM Analytics</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_app.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Create and Share
                CRM Analytics Apps to Give Business Users a Big Data Picture</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.analytics_apps.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Intelligent Analytics Apps</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_app_prebuilt.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Deploy CRM Analytics Industry
                Apps and Prebuilt Apps</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_embed.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Embed Dashboards
                Everywhere</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_explore_packaging_supports_distrib.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">CRM Analytics Distribution and
                Packaging</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e205 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Tableau</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/publish_overview.htm" target="_blank">Publish Data Sources and
                Workbooks</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/publish_workbooks_schedules.htm" target="_blank">Schedule Extract Refreshes as
                You Publish a Workbook</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/changing-views-using-parameters.htm" target="_blank">Use Parameters to Make Views
                More Interactive</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/embed_ex_lwc.htm" target="_blank">Embed Tableau Views into
                Salesforce</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/views_manage.htm" target="_blank">Explore and Manage Web
                Content</a>
            </p>
          </td>

        </tr>
      </tbody>
    </table> <table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small ">
      <colgroup>
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
      </colgroup>
      <thead class="slds-text-title_caps ">
        <tr class="">
          <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;" id="d77145e359">Govern and manage</th>
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <tr class="">
          <td data-label="Govern and manage" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e359 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Reports and Dashboards</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.analytics_home.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Manage Your Reports and
                Dashboards on Analytics Home</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.improving_report_performance.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Improve Report
                Performance</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.dashboards_view_as_overview.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Control Dashboard Data
                Visibility</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e359 ">
            <p>
              <strong>CRM Analytics</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://resources.docs.salesforce.com/latest/latest/en-us/sfdc/pdf/bi_admin_guide_security.pdf" target="_blank">CRM Analytics Security Implementation Guide</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_integrate_data_prep_best_practices.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Data Integration Best Practicies</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_setup_control_studio_access.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Control Access to the Analytics Studio</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e359 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Tableau</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_site_startup.htm" target="_blank">Tableau
                Cloud Site Administrator Roles and Tasks</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/blueprint/en-us/bp_governance_in_tableau.htm" target="_blank">Governance in Tableau</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/web_author_who.htm" target="_blank">Set Web
                Edit, Save, and Download Access on Content</a>
            </p>
          </td>

        </tr>
      </tbody>
    </table> <table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small ">
      <colgroup>
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
      </colgroup>
      <thead class="slds-text-title_caps ">
        <tr class="">
          <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;" id="d77145e476">Answer business questions with data</th>
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <tr class="">
          <td data-label="Answer business questions with data" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e476 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Reports and Dashboards</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_intelligent_overview.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Analyze Reports with Einstein
                Discovery for Reports</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_builder_filtering_overview.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Filter Report Data</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.dashboard_filters_overview.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Filter a Dashboard</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e476 ">
            <p>
              <strong>CRM Analytics</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_get_started_wave_assets.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Learn What You Can Do with CRM Analytics</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_explore_conversations.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Converse with Your Data</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_ask_data_insights.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Get Data Answers While You Search with Ask Data for Salesforce</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e476 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Tableau</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/data_explore_analyze_interact.htm" target="_blank">Explore and Inspect Data in a
                View</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/viewer_tut.htm" target="_blank">What can I do with a Tableau
                Web View?</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/pulse_explore_metrics.htm" target="_blank">Explore Metrics with Tableau
                Pulse</a>
            </p>
          </td>

        </tr>
      </tbody>
    </table> <table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small ">
      <colgroup>
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
      </colgroup>
      <thead class="slds-text-title_caps ">
        <tr class="">
          <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;" id="d77145e593">Personalize and act on your analysis</th>
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <tr class="">
          <td data-label="Personalize and act on your analysis" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e593 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Reports and Dashboards</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.analytics_home_favorite.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Favorite Your Reports and
                Dashboards</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.lightning_report_builder_run_page.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Customize Report Views in the
                Run Page</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_subscribe_overview.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Schedule and Subscribe to
                Reports</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_subscribe_notify_threshold.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Get Notified When Report
                Conditions are Met</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e593 ">
            <p>
              <strong>CRM Analytics</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_subscriptions.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Get
                Scheduled Updates with Email Subscriptions</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboards_view_create.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Save Your Filtered View of a Dashboard</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_home_watchlist.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Monitor Important Metrics with the CRM Analytics Watchlist</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_dashboards_take_action.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Perform Salesforce Actions Directly from CRM Analytics</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e593 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Tableau</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/subscribe_user.htm" target="_blank">Create a Subscription to a View
                or Workbook</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/customview.htm" target="_blank">Use Custom Views</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/inspectdata_viewdata.htm#customize-the-view-data-window" target="_blank">Customize the Underlying Data
                you View</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/external_actions.htm" target="_blank">Send Select Data to Salesforce
                Flow</a>
            </p>
          </td>

        </tr>
      </tbody>
    </table> <table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small ">
      <colgroup>
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
        <col style="width:33.33333333333333%">
      </colgroup>
      <thead class="slds-text-title_caps ">
        <tr class="">
          <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;" id="d77145e732">Collaborate with others around data</th>
        </tr>
      </thead>
      <tbody>
        <tr class="">
          <td data-label="Collaborate with others around data" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e732 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Reports and Dashboards</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://salesforce.vidyard.com/watch/x4tssyJhxGMS7R44seKV1i" target="_blank">Subscribe to Dashboards and
                Reports</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.analytics_sharing.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Report and Dashboard
                Folders</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.analytics_home_collections.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Stay Organized with
                Collections</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.dashboards_post_to_slack.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Post Lightning Dashboards to Slack</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.reports_build_enhanced_lex.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">View Your Reports on Mobile
                with Enhanced Reports</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e732 ">
            <p>
              <strong>CRM Analytics</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_notifications.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Set
                and Send Smart Notifications</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_work_with_wave.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Share, Annotate, Present, and Download CRM Analytics</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_home_collections.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Curate and Share Insights with Collections</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.bi_mobile_resources_update.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">Go
                Mobile with CRM Analytics</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=analytics.crm_analytics_slack_app_intro.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">CRM Analytics for Slack</a>
            </p>
          </td>

          <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d77145e732 ">
            <p>
              <strong>Tableau</strong>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/data_alerts.htm" target="_blank">Set and Send Data-Driven Alerts
              </a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/pulse_create_metrics.htm" target="_blank">Create Metrics with Tableau
                Pulse</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/shareworkbooks.htm" target="_blank">Share or Grant Access to
                Content</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/qs_content_page.htm" target="_blank">Explore and Manage Web
                Items</a>
            </p>
            <p>
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/mobile/mobile-user/en-us/tableau_mobile_overview.htm" target="_blank">Tableau Mobile
                Overview</a>
            </p>
            <p style="margin-bottom:0;">
              <a href="https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/slack_tableau.htm" target="_blank">Tableau for Slack</a>
            </p>
          </td>

        </tr>
      </tbody>
    </table>