In our Salesforce org, we were using the built-in reports and dashboard feature for data visualization. The inbound data visualization tools had limited features, and we were not able to achieve the expected output, so we required a better data visualization tool.
Instead of using any other data visualization tool, we decided to use Tableau, which was acquired by Salesforce in 2019. With this, we were able to create more interactive dashboards for better data visualization.
To get the Salesforce data in Tableau, we need to establish a connection between Salesforce and Tableau.
In this blog, I will explain how to connect Salesforce with Tableau.
Connect Salesforce with Tableau
In Tableau, we have three editions: Tableau Cloud, Tableau Desktop, and Tableau Public. We can connect Tableau Cloud and Tableau Desktop with various data sources directly, such as Salesforce, Microsoft SQL, AWS, etc.
Tableau Public is limited in data access; it only allows access to local copies like spreadsheets, text files, or Tableau Data Extracts. To get Salesforce data in Tableau Public, you can extract the Salesforce file and upload it to Tableau Public.
Connect Salesforce with Tableau Desktop
To connect Salesforce data with Tableau Desktop, you first need to download the Tableau Desktop application.
After downloading Tableau on your system, open the application and on the setup page, go to Connect > To a Server > Salesforce.
In the next window, verify that the instance URL is correct. The default URL will be https://login.salesforce.com. After this, click on the Sign In button.
Now you will be automatically redirected to the Salesforce login URL that we have entered above. Here, enter your sign-in credentials for Salesforce.com.
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In the Allow Access dialog box, click the Allow button.
On successful connection, a message will be displayed as ” Tableau created this window to authenticate.
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If the connection is unsuccessful, verify that the authentication information is correct. If the connection continues to fail, then it means the system is not able to locate the server, or you may not have permission to access the data.
Under Standard Connection, you can select from a list of predefined queries, which represent objects, and drag it to the tableau canvas.
In the Table section, you can select a single table, which includes any custom objects you have created in your Salesforce org, and drag it to the Tableau canvas.
At last, select the sheet tab to use the data analytics features of Tableau.
This way, we can set a connection between Salesforce and the Tableau cloud and use Salesforce’s data as the data source to create charts and dashboards.
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Connect Salesforce with Tableau Cloud
To connect Salesforce with the Tableau Cloud, we don’t need to install an application on the system. For this, we need to create an account on the Tableau Cloud that can be connected to Salesforce.
Follow the steps below to create a Tableau account and connect it with your Salesforce org.
- To create a Tableau Cloud account, navigate to https://online.tableau.com.
- Click on the Signup button, or click Signup with Salesforce.
When we click Signup, in the next window, we have to enter the details to create an account.
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- When you select Sign In, then in the next window, enter the details in the sign-in form and click Create My Account. Then a confirmation link will be sent to the email address that you need to verify.
- In the second option, click on Login with Salesforce. Then, log in with your Salesforce credentials.
- To allow access to Tableau, click on the Allow button.
- After this, navigate to the email authenticated with your Salesforce account and open the verification link.
On successful verification, you will get a message that your Salesforce account is successfully linked with Tableau.
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This way, we can connect Salesforce with Tableau Cloud following the steps above.
To use Salesforce data in the Tableau Public version, you need to extract the Salesforce file and then upload it to Tableau from the system.
I am Bijay Kumar, the founder of SalesforceFAQs.com. Having over 10 years of experience working in salesforce technologies for clients across the world (Canada, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, etc.). I am a certified salesforce administrator and expert with experience in developing salesforce applications and projects. My goal is to make it easy for people to learn and use salesforce technologies by providing simple and easy-to-understand solutions. Check out the complete profile on About us.
