
Data that you don't have Connect permissions for is unavailable (gray).If you have a Data Management license, you can connect to data with a virtual connection, and if you have Data Management with Tableau Catalog enabled, you can also connect to external assets, like databases, files, and tables. For example, some types of data may allow you to filter based on tags, connection type, data quality warnings, or other criteria. You can filter results by type of data, certification status, or other filters that depend on the type of data selected.

You can search for data using the search field. Older versions of the dialog look slightly different but the overall function is similar. Scroll down to see different types of data. Beginning in Tableau Cloud and Tableau Server 2023.1, the Search for Data dialog first displays a list of mixed content that’s popular.

Tableau Prep Builder can connect to published data sources and you can use them as an input data source for your flow starting in version 2019.3.1. For more information, see "About Virtual Connections and Data Policies" in the Tableau Server (Link opens in a new window) or Tableau Cloud (Link opens in a new window) help.

Starting in 2021.4, Data Management includes virtual connections, a central access point to data. For more information about Tableau Catalog, see "About Tableau Catalog" in the Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud Help. When Tableau Catalog is enabled in your environment, in addition to connecting to published data sources from Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud, you can connect to databases and tables from the Search for Data results on Tableau Desktop. Starting in 2019.3, Tableau Catalog is available with Data Management in Tableau Server and Tableau Cloud. You can connect to data from either Tableau Desktop or a web browser by using Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud.
