Data tells a story. Who visualizes it best?
The 2024 Iron Viz Qualifiers are now open!
For the Qualifier contest, show us that data is in the air and submit a viz for this year’s theme of love. Viz about something that you’re passionate about—health and wellbeing, a musical group, a hobby, your friends or family—anything that makes your heart full.
The Qualifier contest will run from October 2 - 31, 2023. It's an opportunity to challenge yourself, learn something new, and engage with an incredible community. Win or learn—you can't lose. Good luck!
Let's get vizzy: Join the DataFam at the Qualifier kickoff event
Get all the details on how to participate in the Qualifier competition and hear from three participants from last years Top 15 as they spill what they know to prepare a winning entry. Plus, we’re saving time for Q&A.
October 11 - 9:00 a.m. PDT | 12:00 p.m. EDT | 4:00 p.m. GMT
How do I enter?
1. Download Tableau Desktop
You will need Tableau Desktop to create your visualization. Download and install the free version of the software, Tableau Desktop Public Edition.
2. Create a Tableau Public profile
Only visualizations published to a Tableau Public profile will be considered valid entries for the contest. If you don't already have one, create a profile on Tableau Public.
4. Submit your viz
Publish your visualization to Tableau Public profile (learn how to do this here). Be sure the data you're using data can be shared publicly. Once published, submit a link to your published visualization to enter the contest. The Iron Viz Qualifier Contest ends on October 31, 2023 (11:59 p.m. PT). Rules can be found at the bottom of this page.
What is Iron Viz?
Iron Viz is the world’s largest data visualization competition. What began as a breakout session at Tableau Conference 2011 has grown into a global phenomenon and become a core part of the Tableau Community. Three Iron Viz contenders take center stage and have 20 minutes to tell the most compelling story using the same data set. Like the qualifier leading up to it, contestants’ vizzes are scored based on analysis, storytelling, and design. It is something you must see to truly understand.
What to expectExplore the Iron Viz Gallery
GAM Esports Legendary Win at Worlds 2022
Tour de France | The Dark Side of the Tour
Birds in Backyards - Wingspan Edition
Judging Criteria
Design
Visual elements add to the overall understanding of the visualization rather than distract
Interactivity and layout are user-friendly, instructed/specified, and purposeful
Charts are clearly presenting the data
Charts contain a title, summary, and/or caption
All charts contribute to the story
Accessibility is applied - colorblind/low vision (contrast) friendly palette, limited use of images to convey text, font size larger than 12pt
Analysis
Viz topic aligns with contest theme
Dataset and calculations appear to be accurate and clean
Analysis illustrates profound insights grasped from visualizations
Analysis supports the story being told
Analysis has been mostly produced within Tableau
Analysis highlights a broad range of Tableau capabilities
Storytelling
A clear story is being told
Story flows through visualizations and guides consumers from question to insight
Visualizations and animations support the story being told
The story includes a unique idea or perspective
The story being told has complexity/nuance that elevates the visualizations.
Storytelling captures and maintains interest throughout the entire viz
Contestant Resources
| Content Type | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| BLOG POST |
Create a compelling Iron Viz qualifier entry in ten steps |
Read Now |
| BLOG POST |
8 resources to kickstart your Iron Viz entry |
Read Now |
| BLOG POST |
How to get ready for the next Iron Viz competition |
Read Now |
| BLOG POST |
How to find the best sources for free, public data sets |
Read Now |
| KNOWLEDGE BASE |
How to save vizzes on Tableau Public |
Read Now |
| BLOG |
A beginner's guide to Tableau Public |
Read Now |
| blog |
Planning out your build process & time saving tips |
read Now |
| VIDEO series |
Behind the Build with Iron Viz finalists |
Watch Now |
| BLOG POST |
First time Iron Viz participants share their experience |
Read Now |
| VIDEO |
Storytelling with data |
Watch Now |
Powered by Tableau Public
Grow your data skills with Tableau Public
Tableau Public is the backbone of Iron Viz. This free platform allows users to explore, create and publicly share data visualizations online. It is also the world's largest repository of data visualizations. Utilize it to advance your career in analytics by learning from limitless data inspiration and creating an online portfolio of work.
Get started on our free platformQualifier Contest FAQ
What is the theme and what is the submission deadline?
| Contest | Theme | Announcement Date | Submission Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Viz Qualifier | Love | October 2, 2023 | october 31, 2023 |
This year’s theme is LOVE, and we want to know what makes your heart skip a beat. Viz about something that you’re passionate about—health and wellbeing, a musical group, a hobby, your friends or family—anything that makes your heart full. Tell a data story of love with your Iron Viz entry!
For questions on whether your data set meets the theme criteria, please reach out to ironviz@tableau.com with subject line 'Theme Question.'
What are the terms of participating?
Please refer to the official rules for the qualifier contest:
How many entries may one person make?
One entry per person. If you need to make changes to your viz after submitting, please make those changes prior to the submission deadline.
Can I use any data?
This qualifier contest allows for any data. Please ensure the data set(s) you choose are related to the theme. Please be considerate of others, and do not use a data set that might be found overly offensive. We would also like you to consider image rights when including visuals in your visualization. For specific eligibility questions, please reach out to ironviz@tableau.com with subject line 'Eligibility Question.'
Am I required to make my data set(s) or viz downloadable?
If possible provide a link to your source(s) in the footnote or description of your viz and allow 'Download' for the viz you submit. This allows others to learn from your work, just as you can learn from others. Making vizzes downloadable can be done by signing in to Tableau Public, click on the viz you created, and checking the box "Allow workbook and its data to be downloaded by others", then click save.
Who can I contact if I am having problems with Tableau Public?
You may contact Tableau Public at public@tableau.com, please include Viz Contest in the subject line. Note that submissions can only be made via the submission form.
How will the winner be chosen?
A panel of judges comprised of Tableau Ambassadors, previous Iron Viz finalists, data viz experts, and guest judges will evaluate all submissions based on the following criteria:
- Design
- Storytelling
- Analysis
Analysis will be the tiebreaker in case two vizzes have the same overall score. Should the Analysis score also be tied, the panel of judges will make a final decision.
Will I receive my scores?
Scores can be provided (upon request) by filling out this form after the contest is over.
Can I receive feedback on my work?
Feedback is available upon request by completing this form.
Why isn't my country included in the list of eligible countries for participation?
We strive to open Iron Viz up to everyone in the world. Unfortunately, due to limitations we must limit Iron Viz to those countries that are listed for this year. We continuously assess our eligible countries to be as inclusive as possible, and we hope to add more countries for 2025 and beyond.
Official Iron Viz Qualifier Rules
Explore the Tableau Community
Looking for a path to Tableau success? There is no single way to accelerate your data skills, but all roads lead through the Tableau Community. Through the many community resources available to you, you have the power to connect with like-minded people, learn, grow, and be inspired—wherever you are in the world.
