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Tableau: Analytics and Viz Extensions

Tableau analytics extensions allow users to extend Tableau’s dynamic calculations with programming languages like R and Python, as well as other tools and platforms. These extensions can receive data from Tableau and return it after it has been transformed, reshaped, or augmented. 

With the 2024.2 release, viz extensions are a capability that make it possible for creators to load bespoke viz types into worksheets. Viz extensions extend the capabilities of what Tableau can visualize, adding more tools and minimizing technical debt around creating some vizzes. A list of viz extensions may be found on the Tableau Exchange. 

What creators should know about viz extensions

As new functionality, important things to know include:

  • This functionality is only available with 2024.2 or later releases. As of December 2024, the university uses 2024.2.5. 
  • Users may download viz extensions and run them locally, but they will not be able to publish to Tableau Server if the extension is not enabled. It is recommended users first test viz extensions locally. 
  • Creators must make sure the viz extension is free. There is a filter on the left-hand side of the viz extension page in the Tableau Exchange to filter for free extensions. 
  • Anyone using a dashboard with network-enabled extensions will be prompted and asked to allow the extension to run. The extension must request permissions to the underlying data. Users may deny permission to run, but it impacts the user experience. Creators using viz extensions should include this information on the dashboard (such as the info button or a text box). 

What creators should know about analytics extensions

  • Data sources are an extract that can only run once per day. 
  • Instructions on how to download and set up locally are available for TabPy and RServe. This is another helpful guide on TabPy. Please note, the data visualization team cannot assist with installation to local machines nor can they assist with writing code.

Requesting extensions for creators

For a creator to request analytics or viz extensions, please follow the process below. 

  1. Review and understand the full risk assessment. S4 data is not appropriate for analytics or viz extensions. 
  2. Build the extension locally on your machine. This must be done before requesting.
    1. If using code for an analytics extension, have an internal team review of the code. The team submitting the analytics extension request should review the code to ensure accuracy and performance. 
    2. If using a viz extension, please use workbook optimizer to address functionality that may “need action”. 
  3. For each extension, please submit a ticket to data-visualization@osu.edu requesting the extension. 
    1. For analytics extensions, please add a use case as to why this must be completed with TabPy or Rserve. 
    2. Examples of use cases are using python to iterate multiple tabs on a dashboard with different filters, outputting a pdf page for each iteration and merging pdfs into one. 
  4. Once a ticket is received, administrators will:
    1. Evaluate each extension to understand how the extension manages authentication, data access, user input, and how they mitigate security risks. 
    2. If administrators move forward, they have two months to configure within the university’s test environment. Configuration includes deny full data access when added to safe list and permitting user prompts about allowing or denying the extension. 
    3. Once implemented in the test environment, requesting teams have two months to conduct comprehensive testing. During this time, administrators will monitor impact to the environment. The testing process should include examining the source code (no bad code allowed), while administrators will monitor requests and responses the extension is making. 
    4. If at the end of the testing process all parties agree to move forward, administrators will work with the requesting team to submit a change request in ServiceNow. This change request will apply for the configuration change to Tableau Server’s production environment. This will require an outage; after hours availability between administrators and requestors must align. 

Current State - March 2025

As of March 2025, two viz extensions are approved for the university:

  1. Sankey by Tableau 
  2. Tableau Table by Tableau

TabPy and Rserve on installed on the university’s test environment and ready for developers to submit use cases. 

Important Information

View a video demo at Tableau Viz Analytics