Tableau Software Acquires Startup That Can Analyze Data Using Natural Language

Tableau Software has acquired ClearGraph, a Silicon Valley startup that enables smart data discovery and data analysis through natural language query technology.

Seattle’s Tableau says it plans to integrate ClearGraph’s technology into its own products, which will make it easier for users to interact with data by using natural language to search for insights.

“We are thrilled to bring the ClearGraph team to Tableau to enable people to ask questions of their data using natural language,” said Francois Ajenstat, Chief Product Officer at Tableau. “Natural language queries will make it easier for more people to interact with Tableau, whether you’re an executive who needs an answer quickly, or on a mobile phone and want an answer from your data on the move.”

ClearGraph brings a consumer-like experience to users by connecting disparate data sources and making them accessible through conversational style search; analyzing data using ClearGraph requires “no technical training,” according to the Palo Alto company, as the system “can infer users’ intent.”

“We founded ClearGraph because we saw a need to bridge the gap between humans and computers through natural language, especially when it comes to exploring data,” says Andrew Vigneault, CEO of ClearGraph. “Tableau is a natural fit for us because we have similar missions, cultures and genuine desire to help more people around the world access, interact with and get answers from their data.”

Vigneault co-founded the company in 2014 alongside Ryan Atallah.

“We plan to integrate our technology into Tableau’s platform to provide intelligent, conversational querying experiences to a much larger audience,” added Atallah. “Improving how humans and computers interact with each other is one of the most challenging and important problems of today. We are proud of the technology we’ve developed, and there’s a lot of work still to be done.”

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.