Writeback to data-source using Extensions - Tableau

You will learn about writing back to the data-source from tableau itself, providing users the access to rectify data issues.

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Here is how we can write-back to a data source using extensions in tableau:

Step 1: Setting up the data source

We will use up google Spreadsheet, as the data source for this workbook.

• Open up a new spreadsheet - Blank

• Enter up the desired data and save the spreadsheet

• Goto Tools > Script editor

• You need to enter the REST API over here, that will receive the data sent over via Tableau Write-back Extension

• Copy the code from - Here (Git Hub Link)

• Select Publish > Deploy as Web App

• Under Project Version, Select "New"

• Under "Execute the app as", Select your account

• Under "Who has the access to the app", Select "Anyone, Even Anonymous"

• Click Deploy. Login with your account when prompted.

• Click Advanced, Goto "WriteBack Tableau (Unsafe)"

• Grant the permissions by clicking Allow

• Copy the "Current Web App URL". This will be required when we will configure the extension in Tableau.

Step 2: Setting up the Tableau Write-back Extension

• Download the "Trex file", Which otherwise is known as Tableau extension from Tableau's Extension Gallery

• Drag the Tableau Worksheets, for which you want to provide the source data write-back capability.

• Drag the extension as well present under objects and select "My Extensions"

• Traverse to the path where you have stored the "Trex file" and select it up, in order to add this extension.

Step 3: Configure Tableau's Write-back Extension

• Right Click on the Extension drop down & Select Configure, Enter the details as mentioned:

• Select the Worksheet = Your tableau Worksheet name

• URL = Current Web URL that we copied from Step 1

• Select the spreadsheet = Spreadsheet name from Google Spreadsheet

• Submit the Configuration

Step 4: Write-back in Action

This is what Tableau's Worksheet-1 looks Initially

Below are the Xpand it Extension data write-back features with details, that are available within Tableau

Lets edit Row #4 with information mentioned as "Avdhesh Gaur - Tableau" to "Avdhesh Gaur - Tableau 2019.2" , by writing back the same to the data source using this extension.

• Select the row for which you want to write-back the data.

• Once it appears in the Xpand it Extension, Select that row from the extension.

• Select the Edit Button

• A pop up will appear. Enter the updated data in the desired field and Hit Submit.

• Click on "Send the data" Icon.

• The extension will write back updated data to the data source and the changes will get reflected in the Tableau Worksheet as well.

• Data has been updated. This is how you can write-back to Google Spreadsheets

• If you are writing back to any other data source, you will require the respective REST API in that case

Note: Make sure you have checked the below option that opens up on clicking on the rightmost icon (Options Sidebar)

an article by avdhesh gaur

Avdhesh Gaur has 5+ years of work experience with Tableau desktop, taking down various business requirements by building Data-driven Business Intelligence models using SQL, Hive, Tableau, and other Statistical data analysis Techniques. In a nutshell, He transforms data into visualizations to help organisations understand their business operations more visually.

​Avdhesh got one of his submissions to Tableau accepted & placed in their permanent public knowledge database known as "Tableau Gallery" on 7th January 2019, which in a more cooler way we call Viz of the day