Tableau Desktop users can utilize the Tableau Server provided by Pitt IT to share dashboards. The following are practices and recommendations for utilizing the University of Pittsburgh’s Tableau Server, located at https://analytics.pitt.edu
Accounts and Projects
User Accounts
All faculty and staff users at Pitt can utilize the Tableau Server. To log into the Tableau Server, a person must utilize a University of Pittsburgh account, including sponsored accounts. Users outside of the University can only interact with the Tableau server through a public dashboard offering (see below).
Groups
You should plan to utilize CDS groups whenever possible for governing access to Tableau dashboards. To create a CDS group, you’ll need to work with your RC security contact. Once you have created a CDS group, contact the Pitt IT Help desk and request that the group be added to the Tableau Server. The Pitt IT analytics team will add your group to the server’s sync list, and you can now attach your group to Tableau dashboard and data sources for access control.
Projects
You can request the creation of a Tableau Project folder by opening a Helpdesk request. Please provide the name of the requested group - the Pitt IT Analytics team member implementing your request may work with you to align your request along existing naming conventions. As the requestor, you will be made the owner of the Project folder, and can assign permissions as you desire. You can find information on working with permissions on Tableau here - https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/permissions.htm
Data Sources
Selecting the right approach - Live Connection vs. Extract
Tableau supports multiple ways of getting data to your dashboard. Selecting your approach carefully will ensure that your dashboard works smoothly and responsively for your users.
Tableau live connections to databases allow Tableau to generate SQL queries and execute them against your database. This technique allows your database to do the data retrieval and processing, rather than Tableau. It is a great choice in a number of use cases, but does require you as a developer to have some visibility and ability to work with the database in question.
Tableau Extracts are a powerful feature that allows the Tableau server to pull data from a database or other source, and store it in a fashion optimized for Tableau dashboards. While extracts are powerful, there are important factors to consider…
How frequently is your data refreshed? Do not schedule a Tableau extract to run more frequently than the data is refreshed - this will minimize Tableau Server delays.
How frequently do your users need the data refreshed? While your underlying data may be refreshed daily, users may only consume the report/analysis at a weekly level. When possible, set the refresh of a Tableau extract to run only as frequently as it will bring value to the users of your dashboard.
If your data accrues slowly and includes timestamps, consider implementing incremental extracts. Incremental Extracts use a date field to only bring in new records to your Tableau data source or dashboard.
Extract timings
Subscriptions
Publicreorganizgin projects