Workbooks often reference external resources. If you want to share your workbook with someone who does not have access to the referenced resources or Tableau Server, you can save and then send them the packaged workbook instead. A packaged workbook (.twbx) contains a Tableau workbook, and it may contain one or more of the following local files:
- Background images
- Custom geocoding
- Custom shapes
- Local cube files
- Microsoft Access files
- Microsoft Excel files
- Tableau data extract files (.tde)
- Text files (.csv, .txt., etc.)
This article describes how to create a packaged workbook with different types of data sources.
Note: If Tableau Support has asked you to send a .twbx file for troubleshooting, before you create the file, see Sending a .twbx to Tableau Support at the bottom of this article.
Create a .twbx with file-based data sources
When your workbook uses a file-based data source, such as Microsoft Excel or a text file, the data source will be included in the packaged workbook. Simply save the workbook as a packaged workbook (.twbx).
Step 1
In the workbook, select File > Save As.
Step 2
From the Save as type drop-down menu, select Tableau Packaged Workbook (*.twbx). Now you can send your workbook.
Create a .twbx with non-file-based data sources
If the workbook contains connections to enterprise data sources or other non-file-based data sources, such as Microsoft SQL, Oracle, or MySQL, the data must be extracted from the data sources for it to be included in a packaged workbook (.twbx).
Note: You cannot create an extract of a cube data source, such as Microsoft Analysis Services or Oracle Essbase.
Step 1
In the workbook, right-click the data source in the Data pane, and then select Extract Data.
Step 2
In the Extract Data dialog box, click the Extract button to extract all data from the data source.
After the extract completes, the data source icon will change to indicate that an extract is active for that data source. Instead of a single cylinder, there will be two cylinders connected by an arrow.
Step 3(Optional)
Repeat steps 1-2 for each data source in the workbook.
Step 4
Select File > Save As.
Step 5
From the Save as type drop-down menu, select Tableau Packaged Workbook (*.twbx). After the extracts have been created for all non-file-based data sources and the packaged workbook saved, you can send your workbook.
Create a .twbx with Tableau Server data sources
If the workbook contains connections to a published Tableau Server data source, you must download a local copy of the Tableau Server data source, take an extract of it, and then replace the connection to the local copy for it to be included in a packaged workbook (.twbx).
Step 1
In the workbook, right-click the published data source in the Data pane, and then select Create Local Copy.
A copy of the published data source is added to the Data pane.
Step 2
Right-click the local copy, and select Extract Data.
Step 3
In the Extract Data dialog box, click the Extract button to extract all data from the data source. Creating an extract of the data source allows the person you are sharing the workbook with to have access to a copy of the data source.
Step 4
In the Data pane, right-click the published data source, and then select Replace Data Source.
Step 5
Verify that the published data source will be replaced by the local data source, and then click OK.
Step 6
Right-click the published data source, and then click Close.
Step 7
Select File > Save As.
Step 8
From the Save as type drop-down menu, select Tableau Packaged Workbook (*.twbx). After the local copy and extract of the local copy is created and the packaged workbook saved, you can send your workbook.
Sending a .twbx to Tableau Support
If Tableau Support has asked you to send a .twbx for troubleshooting purposes, see the following articles:
- Before you create the .twbx, see Editing a Published Data Source.
- After you create the .twbx and before you send it, see Sending Large Files.