Business analytics uses a variety of tools to handle tasks from data collection to predictive modeling. A good analyst knows how to use these tools together effectively. Some common and popular tools include:
SQL – Used to filter, extract, and create subsets of large datasets. It helps prepare data for cleaning and modeling .

Tableau / QlikView / Power BI – Tools for creating visual reports and dashboards. They make complex data easy to understand and require minimal data preparation.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
BIRT – A reporting tool for dashboards and graphs. It is more complex than Tableau and requires knowledge of Java.
Python – A versatile tool for data cleaning, analytics, and creating predictive models. It supports machine learning, deep learning, and visualization through libraries or external tools.
R – A statistical tool for descriptive and inferential analysis and model building. It has a steeper learning curve but is widely respected in business and academia.
MS Excel – A basic but highly effective tool. It is often used for quick analysis, final reporting, or simple data tasks, making insights easy to access for all users.

Statlearner
Statlearner