Tableau Landing Page
On this page:
Overview
Tableau is a family of interactive data visualization and business intelligence software that lets you explore, visualize, and share data securely. There are several forms of Tableau: Tableau Desktop, Tableau Server, Tableau Reader, and Tableau Public.
- Tableau Server is a repository on the web where one can publish (upload), store, and share workbooks, data sources, and dashboards.
- Tableau Reader is a free tool available for viewing and interacting with Tableau workbooks. No MIT license is required.
- Tableau Public is the Tableau Community’s public server where a gallery of visualizations, blogs, and eLearning videos, can accessed and downloaded for free.
How to Obtain
To download Tableau, visit the IS&T Tableau page.
How to Use: Tableau Desktop
To use the desktop application,
- Download the software: Go to the Tableau Desktop page. Here you will find a link and instructions for downloading the desktop software.
- Request and Activate your Tableau Desktop license:
- To acquire a Tableau Desktop license, go to the request page
- Follow the instructions for How do I activate my Tableau Desktop license?
The license key is available free of charge to MIT faculty and staff, however there are a limited number of licenses. No licenses are available for affiliates.
How to Use: Tableau Server
To use the Tableau Server go to tableau.mit.edu and authenticate via Touchstone.
- You will see a Tableau page with many Projects. These are areas that have been set up for groups to publish and share their Tableau worksheets, visualizations, etc. To obtain space on the server for a project, contact a member of the warehouse team.
- To publish a worksheet to the server you will need to use the Tableau Desktop application. From the menu bar in Tableau Desktop, select Server and then Publish Workbook... See: Accessing or Publishing a Workbook to Tableau Server.
For information on Server permissions, see: Tableau Server Permissions and: Managing Project Permissions on Tableau Server.
Troubleshooting, FAQ's, and Tips
Connecting to Data Sources and Authentication
- Connect to the Data Warehouse from Tableau
- How can I connect Tableau to a FileMaker database?
- I've successfully connected to the Data Warehouse in Tableau, but I don't see anything. What do I do?
- When trying to Connect to the Data Warehouse in Tableau on a Mac, I get an error "ORA-21561 - OID generation failed"
- When I open a workbook on Tableau Server, I get an "Authenticating to Oracle" prompt. What do I do?
- Why am I receiving an error message that says my Tableau software maintenance is expiring?
Tableau Server – Accessing and Sharing
- How do I export data or a visualization from Tableau Server?
- How do I move a Tableau workbook from one Tableau Server project to another?
- How do I share a Tableau workbook from Tableau Server?
Tips
See Also
- [istcontrib:Data Reporting Tools at MIT - Cognos and Tableau]
- Tableau Resources
Need Help or Still have Questions?
- For liscenscing questions, contact the Software Distribution team at software-distribution@mit.edu.
- For technical questions, contact Tableau vendor support.
- Email requests for help to tableau-help@mit.edu
- Help is also available in the form of regular drop-in/practice sessions:
The sessions are all pretty informal and you can drop-in and leave whenever. If you have ideas on something particular you'd like to discuss or would like help with, feel free to email tableau-help@mit.edu in advance.
Session | Location | Day/Time | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Tableau User Group | NE49-3098 - Little Cayman | Wednesday 11am-12pm | bring your own laptop, or ip address to remote desktop |
Data Warehouse User Group | 14-0637 | Thursday 1:30pm-3pm | bring your own laptop, or ip address to remote desktop |
Additional escalation information for Help Staff can be found here: [hd:Tableau Recon]. |