How do you connect Tableau to data sources?

1 File-based data sources

One of the simplest ways to connect Tableau to data sources is to use file-based data sources, such as Excel, CSV, JSON, or PDF files. You can drag and drop these files into Tableau or use the Connect menu to browse and select them. Tableau will automatically detect the file format and display the data in the Data Source tab, where you can preview, join, clean, and modify the data as needed. You can also use the Data Interpreter feature to extract data from complex or formatted Excel or PDF files.

2 Database data sources

Another common way to connect Tableau to data sources is to use database data sources, such as SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. You can use the Connect menu to choose the database type and enter the server name, credentials, and other connection details. Tableau will then show you the list of available tables and views in the database, which you can drag and drop into the Data Source tab. You can also write custom SQL queries to access specific data from the database or use the Tableau Data Extract feature to create a local copy of the data for faster performance.

3 Web data sources

If you want to connect Tableau to data sources that are available on the web, such as web pages, APIs, or RSS feeds, you can use the Web Data Connector feature. This feature allows you to use a URL or a web-based app that connects to the web data source and returns the data in a format that Tableau can understand. You can find many ready-made web data connectors on the Tableau website or create your own using HTML, JavaScript, and the Tableau WDC SDK. Once you enter the URL or launch the app, Tableau will display the data in the Data Source tab, where you can edit and refresh it as needed.

4 Cloud data sources

Finally, you can connect Tableau to data sources that are hosted on cloud platforms, such as Google Sheets, Salesforce, Amazon Redshift, or Microsoft Azure. You can use the Connect menu to select the cloud platform and sign in with your account credentials. Tableau will then show you the list of available data sources on the cloud platform, which you can drag and drop into the Data Source tab. You can also use the Tableau Bridge feature to keep your cloud data sources updated with live or scheduled refreshes.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?