Tableau Public: Which Workbook is Utilized and How to Publish It

The Basics of Tableau Public

Tableau Public is a powerful data visualization and exploration tool provided by Tableau Software, allowing users to publish interactive dashboards and charts online. The foundation of Tableau Public is the workbook, a container that holds all your data, visualizations, and sheets. This article will guide you on how to utilize the correct workbook in Tableau Public and the steps to properly publish it.

Understanding Tableau Workbooks

A Tableau workbook is a file that stores data, visualizations, and associated details. It's an integral part of the Tableau ecosystem, providing a single, cohesive interface for analyzing data and sharing insights. When working with Tableau Public, you can either open a workbook created within Tableau Desktop or import an .extract file

Creating an Extract File for Tableau Public

To effectively utilize a workbook in Tableau Public, you first need to generate an extract file. This process involves connecting to your data source, preparing your data, and then converting it into an extract. A .twbx file is the format used for Tableau Public workbooks.

Steps to Create a Workbook for Tableau Public

Connecting to your data source: Log in to Tableau Desktop, choose your data source, and connect to it. Data preparation: Clean and prepare your data as needed. Remove any unwanted columns or rows, and ensure the data is in the correct format. Data exploration: Start exploring your data to create visualizations. Drag and drop fields into different dimensions and measures to understand the relationships and patterns in your data. Extracting the data: Once you are satisfied with your data preparation and visualizations, it's time to extract the data. Go to the Data Source tab and click on Extract Data. Save the workbook: After the data is extracted, save your workbook in the format. This is done by clicking on File Save As twbx from the top left menu.

Advantages and Limitations of Using Extract Files in Tableau Public

Advantages

Performance Optimization: Extract files improve performance by storing the data on the local machine, reducing server load and enhancing viewer experience. Offline Access: Users can access the workbook and its visualizations offline, which is useful for presentations or on-the-go work. Sharing Exclusively: The format allows for exclusive access to the data and visualizations, preventing others from accessing the underlying data.

Limitations

Data Refresh: Unlike the format, extract files do not allow for automatic data refreshing. You need to repeat the extraction process to update the data. Floating Size: The format allows for more graphics and elements, but it also means larger file sizes that might affect uploading and sharing. Online Collaboration: While the format provides a great offline experience, it limits online collaboration and versioning, as it doesn't come with the same real-time collaboration features as Tableau Desktop.

Conclusion

Using the correct workbook and understanding the extraction process is key to effectively utilizing Tableau Public. By creating and saving your workbook in the format, you can ensure optimal performance and secure access to your data. While the format is powerful, it's important to consider the limitations, such as data refresh needs and offline access convenience, when deciding on the best approach for your project.