Explore UAB

  • What version of Tableau Desktop should we use?

    Licenses provided can be used to activate any version of Tableau Desktop. NOTE: If you publish content to UAB’s Tableau site, it is very important to have the same version of Tableau Desktop as UAB’s Tableau site. If you are unaware of the version, please reach out to the EBI team via email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

    The download link provided will give you access to the most recent version of Tableau. If you would like to work in other versions of Tableau, you can access past releases here.

  • How can I tell when my license expires?

    You can check the expiration date on a Tableau Desktop license by going in the application select the Help Menu > Manage Product Keys.

  • How do I upgrade to the newest version of Tableau Desktop?

    You can upgrade to the newest version of Tableau by downloading it from the Tableau website.

  • Can I install Tableau Desktop on more than one computer?

    Your product key can be used to install Tableau Desktop on two computers at the same time. If you need to switch computers, see Moving Tableau Desktop to a Different Computer.

  • Can I use the Tableau Desktop license on my new machine?

    Your product key can be used to install Tableau Desktop on two computers at the same time. If you need to switch computers, see Moving Tableau Desktop to a Different Computer.

  • What is Tableau Prep?

    Tableau Prep empowers more people to get to analysis faster by helping them quickly and confidently combine, shape, and clean their data. A direct and visual experience gives customers a deeper understanding of their data, smart features make data prep simple, and integration with the Tableau analytical workflow allows for faster speed to insight.

  • What resources are available for Prep?

    There are many free learning resources available:

  • Does Tableau work on Windows and/or Mac?

    Tableau Desktop is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. See all technical specifications.

  • How do I share my visualizations?

    UAB’s Tableau site can be used to share visualizations.UAB’s Tableau site has a granular set of permissions to share your data visualization(s) in a secure way with the specific audience you choose.

    Another option for sharing is setting subscriptions for your audience. Subscriptions allow the data to come to you with dashboard updates delivered directly to your email. You can choose who receives the updates, and how often they receive updates.

  • What are Tableau Projects?

    Projects separate content online, but they share Groups and Users with other parent and/or child projects. Access to a Project is granted by the Group or User permissions set on that Project which is handled by the Project Leader of your team.

  • What are Tableau Workbooks?

    Individual project workbooks can be published from Tableau Desktop to Tableau Server. The person publishing the dashboard from Tableau Desktop controls who sees their data when it is published. The publisher can choose a Project which defaults permissions that are already set for Users or Groups on that Project, or the publisher can select individual workbook permissions.

  • What are Tableau Data Sources?

    Similar to Workbooks, Data Source permissions are also determined by the individual who publishes the content, or by the specified Team Project Leader.

  • What type of data can I use in Tableau?
    • Tableau Public – Public data only
    • Tableau Desktop – Public and Sensitive data only
    • Tableau Sever – Public and Sensitive data only

    Use of restricted data is prohibited in Tableau. See Data Classification for more detailed information of each classification level.

  • How do I get access to Tableau software?

    Tableau Desktop or Tableau Server is available for UAB Departments that demonstrate a valid business need. To discuss using Tableau at UAB, fill out the request form. Once a ticket has been submitted, we will contact you to discuss which option best meets your need.

    Additional options are available for Students, Faculty, or Researchers, along with FAQs on each type listed below.

  • Who can access Tableau projects and visualizations at UAB?

    UAB has two types of users for UAB’s Tableau site. Those who develop data visualizations (creators) and those who interact with data visualizations (explorers or viewers). Based upon permission settings, publishers may choose a group of explorers or viewers within the UAB community and grant them access to their Tableau workbooks.

  • What if I want everyone across campus to see my visualization, whether they have a Tableau license or not?

    Publishers that need to reach a wider audience can use Tableau Public to distribute their work and/or embed content to the department website ONLY IF the visualization does not include sensitive or restricted data. Additionally, think about whether you want anyone in the world to potentially see your visualization. If you do not want anyone in the world to potentially see it, or do not think that UAB would want the world to see it, do NOT publish it on Tableau Public. Please see Applying the Data Classification and Protection Rules for more information as each individual is responsible for data sharing.

  • How do I request access to Tableau visualizations as an viewer?

    Individual Tableau Creators for their area/department/team controls access to their content on UAB’s Tableau site. Please contact the department that developed the visualization you are interested in for permission.

  • How do creators add viewers to a Tableau project?

    Creators must approve access for all their viewers. Creators can request access on an viewer’s behalf through submitting a ticket with AskIT (Service Home > Order Services > Software and Applications) with a list of BlazerIDs needing access.

    For assistance adding larger groups of interactors, more than 20 at once, please contact the EBI team directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

  • Who is eligible for a free license through the student program?

    Student licenses are administered through the Tableau website. To qualify for a student license, you must be enrolled at UAB (an accredited academic institution) at the postsecondary (undergraduate/postgraduate) level.

  • What type of documentation do I need to upload to verify my student status?

    School-issued documentation that includes:

    1. Your full name as entered on the request form
    2. The name of your school as entered on the request form
    3. Active student status as of today
  • I requested a license but I never heard back. What should I do?

    It should only take 1-3 business days to receive a response if you uploaded the appropriate documentation during the process of requesting a license. Check your spam/junk folder if you have not received a response within this timeframe.

  • How do I extend my student license?

    If you are still currently enrolled at an accredited academic institution, you can request a new one-year license by completing the online request form.

  • Who is eligible for free licenses through the teaching program?

    Teaching licenses are administered through the Tableau website. To qualify for free licenses through the Tableau for Teaching Program, you must teach and/or conduct noncommercial academic research at UAB (an accredited academic institution). Terms and conditions can be reviewed under the Additional Terms and Conditions section of the online license request forms.

  • What qualifies as non-commercial academic research?

    Non-commercial academic research means conducting not-for-profit academic research projects (investigation based on the idea of scientific inquiry), which are not intended to produce results, works, services, or data for commercial use by anyone or to generate revenue.

    Commercial research and institutional research -the use of institutional data (including student and staff, program, management and operations data) to inform decision-making, planning or tracking academic success - are not considered non-commercial academic research.

    Examples of non-commercial academic research that do qualify:

    • Postdoctoral researcher at a university conducting individual research with limited or no grant funding
    • Students and mentors assisting students in a research lab affiliated with a university degree program

    Examples of research that do not qualify:

    • Independent, non-profit research centers not affiliate with a university, but utilizing university resources (room space, equipment, etc.)
    • Research centers partnering with universities (but not a part of a university degree program) to provide research and other services to public or private sectors (governments, non-profits, corporations, etc.)
    • Individuals completing their residency at a hospital affiliated with a university, who have already obtained their degree, and are not taking additional courses
    • Medical centers associated with universities conducting clinical research
    • Professors that are providing independent consulting services
  • When will my Teaching/Research licenses be delivered? When will I receive access to my Tableau Server site?
    • Individual instructor license: within 5-7 business days of the request date
    • Bulk lab license: by the Date needed by indicated on the online request form
    • Bulk student license: approximately one week before the course start date as indicated on the online request form
    • Tableau Server site: by the Date needed by indicated on the online request form
  • How long are teaching licenses valid for? How long will the Tableau Server site be valid for?
    • Individual instructor license: valid for one year at a time and can be renewed each year instructors are teaching Tableau in the classroom or conducting noncommercial academic research
    • Bulk lab license: valid for one year at a time
    • Bulk student license: valid for the duration of the course as indicated on the online request form
    • Tableau Server site: valid for one year at a time
  • How do I incorporate Tableau into my course?

    The manner and extent to which you incorporate Tableau into your course is entirely up to you. To help you get started, Tableau provides free ready-made curriculum materials, including lecture notes, student handouts, and assignments.

  • Is Tableau Mobile available for an Android? An iPhone?

    Yes to both. An account on either Tableau Online or Tableau Server 9.1 or later is required. A mobile device with Android 5 or later, or iOS 10 or later.

  • How do I sign in to Tableau Mobile?
    1. (iOS only) Tap Sign in
    2. Tap Connect to Tableau Online to access the UAB Tableau-hosted site.
    3. Put in your @uab.edu email and tap Sign In
    4. You’ll be redirected to UAB Central Authentication System where you enter your BlazerID and Password.
  • What can I do on Tableau Mobile?

    Tableau Mobile is available to interact with published content.

    • Favorites shows sheets and workbooks that you’ve chosen for quick access, online or offline.
      • When navigating to the Recents or All tabs, tap the star next to the workbook or view you want to add to Favorites.
      • While looking at an individual view, tap the ellipses in the upper-right corner for the menu, and then tap Add to Favorites.
    • Recents shows up to 12 recently visited workbooks and 12 worksheets.
    • All shows thumbnails for each workbook, as well as each sheet the workbook contains.