Tableau File Types: TWB, TWBX, TDS, TDSX, HYPER | #Tableau Course #20

Summary

The video explains the different types of Tableau files and when to use them. It covers the purpose of various file formats like .hyper, .tds, .tdsx, .twb, and .twbx, depending on whether you're sharing data, data sources, or visualizations. It also highlights the compatibility of these files with different Tableau products such as Tableau Desktop, Tableau Public, and Tableau Reader. The video concludes with a brief discussion on how Tableau stores metadata in XML files and actual data in the hyper format for fast retrieval.

Takeaways

• 📂 Tableau offers five different file types depending on what you want to share: extract, data source, data plus source, visualization plus source, and everything (extract, source, and visualization).
• 📊 The Tableau Workbook contains three main components: the extract, the data source, and the visualizations.
• 📑 To share only the data extract without the data source or visualizations, use the 'hyper' format.
• 📁 If you've done extensive work on the data source but cannot share the actual data, send the Tableau Data Source (TDS) file.
• 📦 If colleagues lack access to source systems and you’re fine with sharing the data and data source, use the Tableau Package Data Source (TDSX) file.
• 📜 If your team is interested in visualizations without the data, send the Tableau Workbook (TWB) file.
• 📥 For sharing everything—data, data source, and visualizations—use the Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX) file.
• 🔄 Tableau workbooks can use either live connections (without data) or extract connections (with data), and the file types differ based on the data type used.
• 🖥️ To open all file formats, you need Tableau Desktop, while Tableau Public and Reader only open TWBX files because they don't support live data connections.
• 📊 Tableau stores workbooks using two types of metadata (stored in XML files) and actual data (stored in 'hyper' format for fast retrieval).

Q & A

What types of files can be generated in Tableau?

Tableau can generate five different types of files: Hyper format (extract only), Tableau Data Source (TDS), Tableau Packaged Data Source (TDSX), Tableau Workbook (TWB), and Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX).

When would you use the Hyper file format in Tableau?

The Hyper file format is used when you only want to share the data extract without any data source or visualizations.

What is a Tableau Data Source (TDS) file used for?

A Tableau Data Source (TDS) file is used when you want to share the data source (including data model, renamed fields, aggregations, etc.) without sharing the actual data.

What does a Tableau Packaged Data Source (TDSX) file contain?

A Tableau Packaged Data Source (TDSX) file contains both the data source and the data extract, allowing users to share both without needing access to the original data source.

In which scenario would you send a Tableau Workbook (TWB) file?

You would send a Tableau Workbook (TWB) file when you want to share visualizations and the data source, but without including the actual data in the file.

What is the difference between a Tableau Workbook (TWB) and a Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX)?

A Tableau Workbook (TWB) only contains the visualizations and the data source, while a Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX) includes the visualizations, data source, and the actual data extract.

What are the two types of Tableau workbooks based on data connection?

There are two types of Tableau workbooks: one with a data extract connection and one with a live connection to the data source.

Which Tableau product can open all types of Tableau files?

Tableau Desktop can open all types of Tableau files, including Hyper, TDS, TDSX, TWB, and TWBX files.

What types of Tableau files can be opened in Tableau Reader or Tableau Public?

In Tableau Reader and Tableau Public, you can only open Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX) files, as they cannot connect directly to live data sources.

How does Tableau store metadata and actual data in workbooks?

Tableau stores metadata (information about the data such as column names and data types) in XML format, while the actual data is stored in a Hyper file, which allows for fast data retrieval.

Outlines

00:00

📊 Introduction to Different Tableau File Types

This paragraph introduces the topic of sharing Tableau files and emphasizes that Tableau can generate five different types of files. These files are used depending on the requirement, such as sharing data, data sources, or visualizations. The importance of understanding these file types is highlighted, as each has a specific purpose, allowing users to choose the right file type for their needs.

📁 Sharing Only Data: The Hyper File Format

In this section, the focus is on the option to share only the data. If a user wants to share data without data sources or visualizations, they can use the Tableau extract format, known as the Hyper file. This format is useful when only the raw data needs to be sent without the rest of the Tableau project components.

🛠 Sharing Data Models: Tableau Data Source (TDS)

Here, the script describes a scenario where users may need to share a data source, especially after significant work has been done in building a data model, such as creating new columns or renaming items. The Tableau Data Source (TDS) file format allows the sharing of this data model without sharing the actual data.

📦 Combining Data and Data Sources: Tableau Package Data Source (TDSX)

This part discusses how users can share both the data and the data source in one package. The Tableau Package Data Source (TDSX) format bundles both, which is useful when recipients need access to both the underlying data and the data source but are restricted from live data connections.

📊 Visualizations and Data Sources: Tableau Workbook (TWB)

The focus here is on sharing visualizations and data sources without including the actual data. Users can send a Tableau Workbook (TWB) file, which contains the visualizations and data source information but excludes the data itself, useful when data privacy is a concern, but visual insights need to be shared.

🗂 Sending Everything: Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX)

This paragraph explains how to share the entire project in one file, including data, data sources, and visualizations. The Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX) format is suitable when users need to send everything as a complete package, providing the full context of the Tableau project.

📑 Types of Workbooks: With and Without Data

A comparison is made between two types of workbooks—those with data (using extracts) and those without data (using live connections). The paragraph lists the types of files that can be shared with each, such as Hyper, TDSX, and TWBX for workbooks with data, and TDS or TWB for those without.

💻 Tableau Products and File Compatibility

This section outlines which Tableau products can open the various file types. Tableau Desktop supports all formats, while Tableau Public and Tableau Reader can only open Tableau Packaged Workbooks (TWBX). It highlights the limitations of Tableau Public and Reader, as they cannot connect to live data sources.

📂 Understanding Metadata and Data Storage in Tableau

The paragraph delves into how Tableau stores data. Metadata, which includes all actions performed within a Tableau workbook, is stored in XML format, while the actual data is stored in a Hyper file. This allows for fast data retrieval and efficient handling of large datasets, ensuring optimal performance.

🔍 Conclusion: Understanding File Types and Next Steps

The final section wraps up the discussion by summarizing the different types of files and their purposes. It signals the transition to the next topic, which is a deeper exploration of Tableau’s architecture and desktop components, promising more in-depth knowledge in upcoming content.

Keywords

💡Tableau Workbook

A Tableau Workbook is a file that contains three main components: the extract, the data source, and the visualizations. It is the central file format used in Tableau to store both the data and the ways in which the data is visualized. In the video, different types of workbooks are discussed, including those that contain data and those that do not.

💡Hyper File

The Hyper file is a format used by Tableau to store data extracts. It is designed for fast data retrieval and is optimized for performance. In the video, the hyper file is mentioned as the format for sharing data alone without including the data source or visualizations.

💡Tableau Data Source (TDS)

A Tableau Data Source (TDS) file contains information about the structure of the data, such as the data model, calculated fields, and aggregations, but it does not include the actual data. The video explains how TDS files are used to share the data structure with others when the underlying data cannot be shared.

💡Tableau Packaged Data Source (TDSX)

The Tableau Packaged Data Source (TDSX) is a file format that includes both the data and the data source. It is used to share the full data model along with the actual data when recipients do not have access to the live data source. The video describes how this format can be used when sharing data and the data source is necessary.

💡Tableau Workbook (TWB)

A Tableau Workbook (TWB) file contains the visualizations and the data source but does not include the underlying data. The TWB format is used when users want to share visualizations without sharing the data itself. In the video, it is mentioned as a file that can be sent when only the visualizations and data source are required.

💡Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX)

The Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX) is a complete file that contains the visualizations, data source, and the actual data. This format is used to share everything, including the data extract, making it ideal for full sharing of work. The video highlights TWBX as the most comprehensive format for sharing Tableau workbooks.

💡Live Connection

A live connection in Tableau refers to a connection where the workbook is linked directly to the data source, allowing for real-time updates. However, in some cases, users might not have access to the live data source, which is why alternatives like extracts and packaged data sources are necessary. The video contrasts workbooks with live connections and those that use data extracts.

💡Tableau Desktop

Tableau Desktop is a software product that allows users to create, edit, and interact with Tableau workbooks and files. It can open all types of Tableau file formats, making it the most versatile of Tableau's products. The video emphasizes that Tableau Desktop is necessary for accessing all file types, including live connections and metadata.

💡Tableau Public

Tableau Public is a free version of Tableau that allows users to create and share visualizations publicly. However, it has limitations compared to Tableau Desktop, as it can only open packaged workbooks (TWBX) and cannot connect to live data sources. The video explains that users of Tableau Public cannot interact with live connections.

💡Metadata

Metadata in Tableau refers to the data about the data, such as column names, data types, and the transformations made to the data in the workbook. It is stored in XML files and reflects every action taken during the creation of the workbook. The video discusses metadata as one of the two types of information stored in Tableau workbooks, the other being the actual data.

Highlights

Tableau can generate five different types of files depending on the user's requirements.

A Tableau workbook contains three main components: the extract, the data source, and the visualizations.

Users can send only the extract data in a Hyper format if no data source or visualizations are required.

A Tableau Data Source (TDS) file is used to share only the data source, especially when data sharing is restricted.

A Tableau Package Data Source (TDSX) file combines both the data and the data source, useful when colleagues cannot access the source system.

The Tableau Workbook (TWB) file allows sharing visualizations and the data source without the data itself.

The Tableau Packaged Workbook (TWBX) file includes everything: extract, data source, and visualizations.

Tableau offers two types of workbooks: one with data using an extract connection and one without data using a live connection.

With an extract connection, you can share three file types: Hyper (data only), TDSX (data + data source), and TWBX (entire package).

With a live connection, you can share two file types: TDS (data source without data) and TWB (workbook without data).

Tableau Desktop is the only product that can open all file types, while Tableau Reader and Tableau Public can only open TWBX files.

Tableau Reader and Tableau Public cannot connect directly to data sources or use live connections.

Tableau stores metadata about the workbook in XML format, which includes column names, data types, and the data model.

Tableau stores actual data in Hyper files, which allow for fast data retrieval using columnar storage methods.

Tableau provides different file formats to cater to various sharing needs, whether users want to share only data, the data source, or the entire workbook.

Transcripts

all right so now if you want to send

Tableau files directly to the users we

have to ask the question which type of

files we're gonna send because in

tablets that we can generate not only

one file we can generate five different

types of files in Tableau so now we can

have like quick overview of those types

of files to understand them and to know

when to use them alright so as we

learned the Tableau workbook contains

three things the extract the data source

and the visualizations there is a file

type for each combinations depend on

your requirement for example if you want

to share only your data without anything

else no data source no visualizations

then you can send an extract as the

hyper format but now if you say you know

what I have done a lot of work in the

data source I built a data model I

renamed stuff I did aggregations I

created a lot of new columns so I would

like to share that with my team with my

colleagues and I'm not allowed to share

my data with them so in this situation

you say okay I'm gonna share the data

source with my colleagues and we call it

Tableau Data Source TDS without data or

you might be in other situation where

you say you know what my colleagues

don't have an access to the source

systems we cannot use the live

connection and you don't mind sharing

your data as well so now you can send

them a package of an extract and a data

source so the file type here called

Tableau package data source TDS X so

this type of file contains both of your

data and your data source and we might

be in another situation where our

colleagues or users they are interested

as well in the visualizations so we can

send them a file with the visualizations

and the data source and here again we

have the same situation you decide

whether you can Ascend with it a data or

not so if you don't want to send the

data inside it you can send the file

called Tableau workbook twb and the last

scenario I think you already guessed it

if you want to send everything the whole

package the extract the data source and

your visualizations then you can go and

send your colleagues a tableau format

called Tableau packaged workbook twx

alright so as you can see Tableau did

design different types of files for

different purposes so depend on the

situation or the scenario that you have

you can share your work with your

colleagues alright so now generally

speaking we have two different types of

workbooks a workbook with data using

extract connection and another book

without data using live Connection in

one hand in the workbook with data you

can send three different types of files

you can send only the data using high

performance or send the whole data set

with the data using tdsx format or send

the whole package with the format

twbx and in the other hand with the

workbook without data you can send only

two files the data set without data TDS

or the workbook wbx and now you might

have the question and you say okay which

Tableau products should I use in order

to open these Tableau files well we have

three Tableau products Tableau desktop

Tableau public and Tableau reader with

the Tableau desktop you can open

everything you can open all these

different Tableau formats and files but

with the Tableau reader and public you

can open only the Tableau packaged

workbook twpx since Tableau reader and

Tableau public cannot connect directly

to the data sources and they cannot use

the live connections

all right one more thing to understand

about Tableau workbooks is that Tableau

uses two different types of data to

store the workbox the first one is the

metadata information it will be stored

in XML files metadata is data about your

data it describes your data it contains

all informations on what have you done

in the workbooks anything you click drag

and drop or do while working with

Tableau desktop will be reflected in

some way in the metadata you can find

informations for example like column

names data type data model and so on and

the second type is the data itself the

actual data if you load data inside

Tableau Tableau can store it in the

format of hyper file where the data

gonna be stored in column and store

methods in the memory of Tableau it is

like special formats for fast data

retrieval alright everyone so with that

we have learned the purpose of the

different types of files in Tableau and

when to use them and next we will do

Deep dive in the Tableau architecture to

understand the desktop components