Tableau Desktop and Web Authoring Help

Tableau has great connectivity that allows you to visualise data from virtually anywhere. In addition to its dozens of built-in connectors and additional partner-built connectors (available on Tableau Exchange(Link opens in a new window)), Tableau gives you the tools to build a customised connector with the Tableau Connector SDK.

Note: Connectors built using the Tableau Connector SDK are sometimes called plugins because they “plug into” Tableau so you can connect to your data.

About Tableau Connector SDK and connector files

You can use the Tableau Connector SDK to build and custom a connector. Partner-built connectors (whether built by you or someone else) typically support most of the same features as built-in Tableau connectors. These include defining a data source(Link opens in a new window), visualising your data(Link opens in a new window), publishing to a server(Link opens in a new window) (if the server has the connector), and so on.

Each connector is made up of a set of XML and JavaScript files, zipped into a single packaged .jar file, and give a ".taco" file extension. This TACO file is signed by the developer using a trusted public certificate authority. The XML and JavaScript files are configuration files that describe:

• UI elements needed to collect user input for creating a connection to a data source
• Any dialect or customisations needed for the connection
• How to connect using the ODBC or JDBC driver

A connector that is developed using the Tableau Connector SDK is appropriate for connecting to an ODBC or JDBC driver which interfaces using SQL. The underlying technology works well with relation databases.

Support for Partner-built connectors

Partner-built connectors are not supported directly by Tableau. However, if you need help, there are a few places you can look for more information.

• Some partner pages on Tableau Exchange provide a direct Support link to assist you.
• Look for a support link or README file on the Driver Download page associated with your connector.
• Contact the connector's creators through the Developer Website link in Tableau Exchange.

Build your own connector

To build your own customised connector, use the tools and instructions in the Tableau Connector SDK(Link opens in a new window) repository on GitHub.

Note: If you find an issue with the SDK or any of the developer samples, submit an issue on GitHub(Link opens in a new window).

Submit a connector to the Tableau Exchange

If you would like to submit your connector to the Tableau Exchange, follow steps outlined in the Tableau Connector SDK.

Use a connector built with Tableau Connector SDK

After you build a connector with the Tableau Connector SDK, follow these steps to use it with Tableau:

1. Download the connector file, [connector name].taco.
2. Place the .taco file in the following directory (default location):
   • For 2021.2 and newer:

     For Tableau Desktop	For Tableau Prep Builder	For Tableau Server, Tableau Prep Conductor, Tableau Prep Flow Authoring
     Windows - C:\Users\[Windows User]\Documents\My Tableau Repository\Connectors macOS - /Users/[user]/Documents/My Tableau Repository/Connectors	Windows: C:\Users\[Windows User]\Documents\My Tableau Prep Repository\Connectors MacOS: /Users//Documents/My Tableau Prep Repository/Connectors	Windows: C:\Program Files\Tableau\Connectors Linux: /opt/tableau/connectors

   • For 2021.1 and older:

     For Tableau Desktop	For Tableau Prep Builder	For Tableau Server, Tableau Prep Conductor, Tableau Prep Flow Authoring
     Windows - C:\Users\[Windows User]\Documents\My Tableau Repository\Connectors macOS - /Users/[user]/Documents/My Tableau Repository/Connectors	Windows: C:\Users\[Windows User]\Documents\My Tableau Prep Repository\Connectors MacOS: /Users//Documents/My Tableau Prep Repository/ConnectorsFor Tableau	Tableau Server: [Tableau_Server_Installation_Directory]/data/tabsvc/vizqlserver/Connectors To enable your connector for Prep, you also need to add your taco to the following locations: Tableau Prep Conductor: [Tableau_Server_Installation_Directory]/data/tabsvc/flowprocessor/Connectors Tableau Prep Flow Authoring: [Tableau_Server_Installation_Directory]/data/tabsvc/flowqueryservice/Connectors

3. Before you connect, install the ODBC or JDBC driver. Follow the driver installation instructions provided by the source of your data.

Once you've installed the connector, it will appear in the list of connectors in Tableau.

Connect Tableau to the data

1. Start Tableau, and under Connect, select the name of the connector you just installed. For a complete list of data connectors, select More under To a Server.
2. Enter the information that you’re prompted for, and then select Sign In.
3. Wait while the connector retrieves your data into Tableau.
4. Select the sheet tab to start your analysis.

About load order for connectors

If a connector has the same class as a connector that has already been registered, the new connector will be rejected. This means that connectors loaded first have precedence when two connectors share the same class name.

Tableau loads connectors by directory in the following order:

1. Built-in Tableau connectors
2. Connectors located in C:\Program Files\Tableau\Connectors (Windows) or/opt/tableau/connectors (Linux)
3. Connectors located in My Tableau Repository/Connectors
4. (Optional) Connectors in the dev path specified by -DConnectPluginsPath

See also

• Set Up Data Sources – Add more data to this data source or prepare your data before you analyse it.
• Build Charts and Analyse Data – Begin your data analysis.

• Tableau Connector SDK(Link opens in a new window) - Find information and tools to build and test your own customised connector.
• Use Partner-Built Connector from the Tableau Exchange - Find and install a connector from the Tableau Exchange.