One of the ways you can get data into a Tableau Desktop workbook is by copying it from the source and pasting it into Tableau. Later, you may need to edit the original values or update the data with new records. If you paste the more recent data, Tableau creates a new data source instead of updating the existing data source. Follow the steps in this article to edit the original data source instead of creating a new one.
Paste the original data
Step 1
Copy data from anywhere. For example, copy data from web sites, PDFs, Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel worksheets, and etc.
Step 2
In Tableau Desktop, select File > New.
Step 3
For Tableau Desktop 7.0 and later, select Data > Paste Data.
For Tableau Desktop 6.1 and earlier, select Edit > Paste Data.
For Tableau Desktop 6.1 and earlier, select Edit > Paste Data.
Tableau creates a new workbook that uses the Clipboard data source. The Clipboard data source is initially stored in the Windows temporary file folder.
Step 4
(Optional) Select the data source on the Data menu, and click Properties to see the exact location of the Clipboard data file.
Save the workbook
When you save the workbook, Tableau moves the data source file to the data sources folder in your Tableau Repository. After that, you can access and edit it.
In Tableau, select File > Save and set the Save as type to Tableau Workbook (*.twb), NOT packaged workbook (*twbx).
After saving the workbook, Tableau displays a message indicating that the Clipboard data file has been moved to a permanent location in the My Tableau Repository\Datasources folder. By default, your Tableau Repository is in your My Documents folder.
Edit the Clipboard data source file
Step 1
Close any Tableau workbook that is connected to the Clipboard data source you want to edit.
Step 2
Open the Clipboard data source file in the My Tableau Repository\Datasources folder.
Step 3
Edit the data, paste in new records, or replace the file entirely. If you are replacing the file, keep in mind that the column names and data types should match the original data source.
Step 4
Save and close the Clipboard data source file.
Step 5
The data is now updated and your workbook updates the next time you open it.