Tableau server : Everything you need to know about it

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May 18, 2023

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Tableau servers

Tableau Server is a powerful business intelligence tool that enables organizations to share and collaborate on data visualizations in real time. It provides a centralized platform for managing and sharing data, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions and improve their overall performance. This article provides a comprehensive guide on Tableau Server, covering its installation, configuration, workbook creation and publishing, user management and security, monitoring, and administration, and best practices.

What is Tableau Server?

Tableau Server is a web-based platform that allows users to access, share, and collaborate on data visualizations created with Tableau Desktop. It enables organizations to securely share and collaborate on data visualizations in real-time and provides a centralized platform for managing and sharing data. Tableau Server offers a range of features, including user management, security, and monitoring, that help organizations optimize their data analysis and decision-making processes.

How does the Tableau server differ from the Tableau desktop?

Tableau Desktop is a data visualization and analysis tool that is used to create interactive dashboards and visualizations. Tableau Server, on the other hand, is a web-based platform that allows users to share and collaborate on these visualizations in real-time. While Tableau Desktop is used for creating visualizations, Tableau Server is used for sharing and collaborating on these visualizations.

How to use Tableau servers?

Installing Tableau server

Before installing Tableau Server, it is important to ensure that your system meets the minimum system requirements. These requirements vary depending on the version of the Tableau Server being installed and can be found on the Tableau website.

Once the system requirements have been met, Tableau Server can be installed using the following steps:

  • Download the Tableau Server installer from the Tableau website
  • Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process
  • Configure the server settings, including the server name, administrator account, and data storage location
  • Configure the network settings, including the server address and port number
  • Activate the server license and create a user account

Configuring Tableau server

After installing Tableau Server, you'll need to configure it to meet your business needs. This involves setting up authentication, configuring storage, and other critical settings. To configure Tableau Server, follow these steps:

  • Log in to Tableau Server.
  • Navigate to the "Configure" tab and select "Settings."
  • Configure the settings according to your business needs. Some key settings to configure include:
    • Authentication: Choose from a variety of authentication options, such as Active Directory, SAML, or local authentication.
    • Storage: Set up data and content storage options, such as how often to take backups, where to store logs, and how to handle failed tasks.
    • Network: Configure network settings, such as port numbers, proxy settings, and SSL settings.

Creating and publishing workbooks

Tableau Server enables users to create and publish workbooks, which can be accessed by other users in the organization. To create a workbook in Tableau Desktop, simply open the software and import the data you wish to visualize. Once the data has been imported, you can create visualizations and customize the dashboard as desired.

Create a workbook

a. Open Tableau Desktop and create a new workbook by clicking on "New Workbook" on the start page or "File" > "New Workbook".

b. Connect to your data source(s) and build your visualization.

Publish the workbook

a. Click on "Server" in the top menu bar and select "Publish Workbook".

b. If prompted, enter your Tableau Server credentials.

c. Select the project where you want to publish the workbook.

d. Choose a name for the workbook and add a description if desired.

e. Select the sheets and dashboards you want to publish.

f. Choose the appropriate permissions for the workbook and its contents.

g. Click "Publish".

Verify and share the workbook

a. After publishing, you will be taken to the workbook's page on Tableau Server.

b. Verify that the visualization looks correct and the data is up-to-date.

c. Share the workbook by sending a link to others or embedding it in a webpage.

Refresh the data

a. By default, the data in the workbook will be refreshed according to the schedule set in Tableau Server.

b. To manually refresh the data, click on the "..." button next to the workbook's name on Tableau Server and select "Refresh".

Once the workbook has been published, it can be accessed by other users in the organization who have been granted access. The workbook can be viewed, interacted with, and customized as desired. Tableau Server also allows users to schedule automatic updates for published workbooks, ensuring that the data is always up-to-date.

User management and security

User Management and Security Tableau Server provides a powerful set of tools for managing users and groups, setting up security, and assigning permissions for workbooks. To manage users and security in Tableau Server, follow these steps:

  • Navigate to the "Server" tab and select "Users."
  • Add users and groups and assign permissions.
  • Configure security settings, such as password policies, user authentication, and SSL certificates.
  • Assign permissions to workbooks and projects based on

Monitoring and administration

To ensure the optimal performance of the Tableau Server, you'll need to monitor it regularly and perform administrative tasks, such as backups and upgrades. Here are some steps to follow:

  • Navigate to the "Status" tab to view server status and performance metrics.
  • Use the "Logs" tab to diagnose errors and performance issues.
  • Use the "Backups" tab to schedule backups of your Tableau Server.
  • Use the "Maintenance" tab to schedule upgrades and server restarts.

Benefits of using Tableau server

Using Tableau Server provides organizations with a range of benefits, including:

  • Secure sharing and collaboration on data visualizations in real-time
  • Centralized platform for managing and sharing data
  • User management and security features for controlling access to data
  • Monitoring and administration tools for optimizing performance and identifying issues
  • Optimized performance for handling large datasets and complex visualizations
  • Customizable dashboards and visualizations that can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.

Best practices for Tableau server

To ensure that Tableau Server is used effectively, there are several best practices that organizations should follow. These include:

  • Set up a test environment to test configurations before making changes on a live server.
  • Use a structured approach to configure your server settings and permissions.
  • Keep your Tableau Server up-to-date by installing the latest updates and patches.
  • Use Tableau's performance recording feature to identify and optimize slow-loading workbooks.
  • Use SSL encryption to secure communication between Tableau Server and client applications
Tableau Server is a powerful platform that enables organizations to share data and visualizations securely and efficiently. By following best practices for user management, security, monitoring, and optimization, organizations can ensure that Tableau Server is used effectively to support business intelligence initiatives. With its wide range of features and capabilities, Tableau Server is an essential tool for any organization looking to derive insights from their data and make informed business decisions.

FAQs: Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Tableau Server and Tableau Desktop?

Tableau Desktop is used for creating data visualizations, while Tableau Server is a web-based platform for sharing and collaborating on those visualizations in real-time. Tableau Server allows multiple users to access and interact with the visualizations created in Tableau Desktop.

How do I install Tableau Server?

To install Tableau Server, you need to download the installer from the Tableau website, run the installer, and follow the on-screen instructions. During the installation process, you will configure server settings, network settings, and activate the server license.

How do I publish a workbook to Tableau Server?

To publish a workbook to Tableau Server, create the workbook in Tableau Desktop, then click on "Server" and select "Publish Workbook." Enter your Tableau Server credentials, choose the project where you want to publish the workbook, select the sheets and dashboards to publish, set permissions, and click "Publish."

How can I manage users and security in Tableau Server?

In Tableau Server, navigate to the "Server" tab, select "Users," and manage users and groups. Assign permissions to workbooks and projects, configure security settings such as authentication and SSL certificates, and control access to data.

What are the benefits of using Tableau Server?

Tableau Server provides secure sharing and collaboration on data visualizations, a centralized platform for managing and sharing data, user management and security features, monitoring and administration tools, optimized performance for handling large datasets, and customizable dashboards accessible from any device.

What are some best practices for using Tableau Server?

Some best practices for Tableau Server include setting up a test environment, using a structured approach for configurations and permissions, keeping the server up-to-date, using performance recording to optimize slow-loading workbooks, and enabling SSL encryption for secure communication.

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