Top 15 Tableau Connectors ListTableau connectors can help you bridge the gap between your data infrastructure andTableau’s data visualization capabilities.But which connector should you use – a native, a partner-built or a third-party?The answer usually depends on the kind of data you want to extract and the system you use tostore your data.In this blog, I’m going to walk you through the 15 best Tableau connectors that you can useto seamlessly import your data into Tableau without any hassle.I’ve included 5 tools under each category – native, partner-created, and third-party – so youcan choose the right one that fits with your tech stack.Let’s get started!
Top 15 Tableau Connectors: Table of Contents● What are Tableau Connectors?● 15 Best Tableau Connectors You Need to Know About– Best Native Connectors– Best Partner Connectors– Best Third-Party Connectors● Connect with Tableau and Start Visualizing Your Data● Tableau Connectors: FAQsWhat are Tableau Connectors?Tableau connectors are software components, drivers, and plugins that translate datafrom a source’s specific protocol into a language that Tableau can understand.These connectors use two primary modes to help you integrate your data with Tableau:● They import data from multiple sources, such as data warehouses, web apps, cloudservices, CRM software, and more, into Tableau.● They generate and send queries in SQL or other languages to the source system,thus setting up a live connection between a data source and Tableau.Simply put, a connector will ensure that you can skip the first phase of data visualizationand analysis: manually importing large files to your Tableau interface.As a result, you can access all your data in a single place – Tableau – when you need toanalyze or visaulize.
That’s why understanding how these connectors work is one of the most critical aspects oflearning how to use Tableau.What are the 3 Types of Tableau Connectors?There are three types of connectors that you can use to integrate data with Tableau:● Native Tableau Connectors: Developed, maintained, and bundled directly byTableau, these connectors are available out-of-the-box in Tableau Desktop.● Partner-Built Tableau Connectors: These are built by Tableau’s tech partners usingthe Tableau Connector SDK. They are typically found on Tableau Exchange.● Third-Party Tableau Connectors: Third-party connectors are built by vendorsoutside of Tableau’s official partnership program.This classification will help you understand three things: where you can get the connector,how it’ll be supported, and the level of integration you can expect.Once you know how these connectors operate, you can easily create reports and interactiveTableau dashboards.15 Best Tableau Connectors You Need to KnowAboutFinally, let’s dive in and explore the 15 best connectors that you can use to integrate your datawith Tableau.Best Native ConnectorsFirst, let’s take a look at the best connectors that Tableau itself has built and continues tomaintain:
1. Azure Data Lake Tableau ConnectorIf you use Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 as your data storage and warehousing solution, theAzure Data Lake Tableau Connector is how you can connect Tableau to your data.You can use it to connect your data in two ways:Live Connection: The connector generates and sends queries to Azure, so you get directaccess to the most current data from the data lake.●● Data Extract: You can also import a snapshot of the data into Tableau’shigh-performance engine for optimized analysis, even when offline.One of the key features of this integration with the Azure ecosystem is that it uses OAuthwith Azure Active Directory for secure, modern authentication, letting users sign in with theirexisting Azure accounts.Plus, the Azure Tableau connector is designed for self-service – this means you can quicklyconnect to files (like CSVs) in the data lake and start analysis without converting, moving, orpreparing the data in a different format.Azure is one data source for which Power BI also has many data connectors. So, if you’reusing Azure, check out my blog on Tableau vs Power BI to find out which one offers betterconnectivity.2. Amazon S3 Tableau ConnectorNext up, we have the Amazon S3 Tableau Connector.It helps directly connect to and analyze data stored in Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3)buckets without moving it to another system.
Let me quickly walk you through its most important features through a table:Feature DescriptionDeveloper Tableau (Native connector)Primary Function Directly access and analyze data files from S3 buckets withinTableauSupported File Formats Parquet, CSV (including compressed .gz), and Excel filesConnection Modes Live connection for real-time data or data extract forsnapshots and offline analysisKey Technology Leverages Tableau’s Hyper engine for fast queryperformanceHere’s how this connector works:After providing your AWS credentials (Access Key ID and Secret Access Key), bucket name,and region, you can browse and select the files you wish to analyze.What I really like about this connector is the support it offers for data unions and joins. Youcan combine multiple files of the same type within a bucket for a more comprehensivedataset view.Plus, through a live connection with Parquet files, you get extract-like performance fordashboards. So, you can ensure that new data is reflected automatically without waiting forscheduled updates.There are also three limitations you might want to consider before using this connector:
● Authentication: Only supports long-term AWS IAM User access keys (key ID andsecret key); temporary session tokens are not supported.● Publishing: Workbooks and data sources must be published to Tableau Server usingthe “Embedded password” option.● File Size Limits: Individual files are limited to 15 GB, and Excel files should notexceed approximately 100 MB for performance reasons.And if you get stuck with any of these problems, I suggest reaching out to reliable datavisualization consultants. They can help you create tailored solutions to overcome thesechallenges of the Amazon S3 Tableau connector.3. Google BigQuery Tableau ConnectorThird on my list is the Google BigQuery Tableau Connector.It’s a native tool that bridges Tableau with Google’s powerful cloud data warehouse.You can use it to directly query and visualize massive datasets stored in BigQuery withoutmoving them to Tableau.The best part about this connector is its newer (JDBC) connector is that it has threeenterprise-grade functionalities:● Cross-Project Joins: You can join tables from different BigQuery projects within asingle Tableau data model.● Large Result Datasets: Handles large queries by automatically creating temporarystaging tables in BigQuery.● Initial SQL: Supports executing Initial SQL commands right from the beginning of alive connection.
I highly recommend using this version of the connector for its advanced capabilities.With it, you can either establish a live connection for real-time analysis on the freshest data orcreate a high-performance data extract for optimized dashboard speed.Another major advantage of this connector is its deep integration with the Google Cloudecosystem, which uses OAuth for secure and streamlined authentication with your Googleaccount.4. LinkedIn Sales Navigator Tableau ConnectorNext, we have the LinkedIn Sales Navigator Tableau Connector.It’s a native tool designed for sales teams to help them pull valuable product usage datadirectly into Tableau for analysis.More specifically, it allows managers with a Sales Navigator Enterprise plan to track teamactivity metrics, such as searches performed, InMails sent, and profile views.You can thus use it to transform raw usage data into actionable insights on sales engagement!However, it is crucial to note that this connector has been officially deprecated as of Tableau2023.1 and is slated for retirement.So, while existing workbooks may continue to function for a time, I recommend not usingthis connector for new projects.Tableau has indicated that a replacement connector is in development, but for now, I suggestseeking alternative methods for integrating this data. You can also use data visualizationservices to create a custom workaround for enterprise operations.
5. Salesforce CRM Tableau ConnectorLast on my list of Tableau’s native connectors is the Salesforce CRM Tableau Connector.It creates a direct connection between Tableau and your Salesforce data.You can use it to analyze and visualize critical CRM data, be it from Sales Cloud, ServiceCloud, and Marketing Cloud, without complex data exports.Here’s how it works: the connector will pull data from Salesforce into Tableau as a dataextract, which is then optimized for high-performance analysis and dashboarding.One of its key features is that it can perform cross-database joins, enabling you to combineyour Salesforce data with info/data from other sources.It thus functions like a data warehouse within a single, unified data model.To use it, you must authenticate via OAuth and enable API access on your Salesforceaccount.You should also note that this connector operates primarily with data extracts rather than liveconnections for core CRM objects. So, while it ensures performance, you’ll have to updatethe data manually to stay current.For a quick start, I suggest using pre-built Tableau Accelerators – these are dashboardtemplates designed specifically for common Salesforce analytics scenarios like sales pipelineinspection.
Best Partner-Built Tableau ConnectorsPartner-built connectors are designed by Tableau’s tech partners. They function as seamlesslyas Tableau’s native connectors. Let me walk you through the best of them:6. Rollstack Tableau ConnectorThe Rollstack Tableau Connector is a partner-built tool.It’s designed to help you automate the process of embedding live Tableau dashboards andvisualizations into business documents like PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Word.Thus, its primary purpose is to help you eliminate complex exports into business documents.You can use it to connect your Tableau account to Rollstack, select specific dashboards andvisualizations for your reports.One thing I really like about this Tableau connector is that you can schedule automatic dataupdates, which means the presentations and documents you’ve created always reflect themost current data from Tableau without any manual intervention!It also supports the use of templates, so you consistently and quickly create branded reportsfor different departments or clients.Plus, you can also control the version of your reports and manage archives of past reports.The connector is particularly valuable for automating recurring reports such as QuarterlyBusiness Reviews (QBRs), financial reports, and client presentations while saving time andreducing manual errors.Another thing I’ve noticed is that its recent updates have added support for Tableau CustomViews, which means you can create presentations that automatically include saved states ofinteractions like filters and sorts.7. dbt Semantic Layer Tableau Connector
The dbt Semantic Layer Tableau Connector is designed by dbt Cloud to provide a liveconnection from Tableau to the centrally defined business metrics of your projects.It ensures that everyone in your organization uses the same trusted, consistent metricdefinitions directly within Tableau.Simply put, you don’t need to rebuild the logic of your tables and their relationshipsmanually.To use the connector, you need a dbt Cloud Team or Enterprise account with dbt v1.6 orhigher and the Semantic Layer configured.Once you’ve downloaded the connector (a .taco file) from the Tableau Exchange and therequired JDBC driver, place them in the correct folders on your machine and restart Tableau.You can then connect using three things: your dbt Cloud host, Environment ID, and a servicetoken.One of its key features is that you can access the “ALL” data source, which brings allavailable metrics and dimensions from your dbt project into your Tableau interface.However, this connector only supports live connections – data extracts are not possible. Isuggest reaching out to a data visualization consultant to create a workaround to this problem.8. Ocient JDBC Tableau ConnectorNext up, we have the Ocient JDBC Tableau Connector:It allows you to connect Tableau to Ocient’s SQL node by providing a database host, port,database name, and user credentials.This connector is particularly suited to speeding up querying for pentabyte-scale data. This isprimarily because Ocient’s architecture uses massively parallel processing to execute querieson hyperscale datasets up to 100x faster than alternatives.To use the connector, you need to install two files:● First, download the Ocient JDBC Driver (a .jar file) and place it in the “Drivers”directory of your Tableau installation.
● Next, download the Ocient Tableau Connector file (a .taco file) and move it to the“Connectors” folder within your “My Tableau Repository”.Then, restart your Tableau app and select “Ocient JDBC” from Tableau’s list of connectors.Since this connector can be pretty challenging to connect and use, I suggest working withexperienced data visualization services providers to make the most of it.9. MongoDB SQL Tableau ConnectorThe MongoDB SQL Interface Tableau Connector is a partner-built connector that you can useto establish a direct SQL connection from Tableau to live data in your MongoDB database.This integration is particularly beneficial for analysts as it allows them to use their SQL skillsto query MongoDB’s document data.As a result, your business analysis team can get faster insights without building complex ETLpipelines.To use the connector, you need a MongoDB deployment (version 6.0 or higher) and mustdownload the official “Tableau Connector for MongoDB” (a .taco file) + the required JDBCdriver from the MongoDB website.Once you’ve placed these files in the correct Tableau folders and restarted the application,you can connect using your MongoDB connection string and credentials.One of my favorite features of this Tableau connector is its dynamic schema computation. Itautomatically and accurately maps your MongoDB collections to a SQL-queryable format,eliminating the need for manual schema files.Plus, this connector uses MongoSQL, a SQL-92 compatible dialect, which supports complexoperations like joins and aggregations.Lastly, I also want to point out that this new connector is the strategic replacement for thelegacy BI Connector, which is scheduled for end-of-life in September 2026.
10. Yellobrick Tableau ConnectorLast on my list of the best partner-built Tableau connectors is the Yellowbrick integration.This connector is a crucial part of Yellowbrick’s strategy to build a robust partner ecosystem.You can use it to combine Yellowbrick’s hybrid cloud technology with Tableau’s analyticscapabilities to improve data analytics with minimal operational overhead.It provides native, high-performance connectivity from Tableau to the Yellowbrick datawarehouse, perfect for users who want to analyze large datasets at high speed right withintheir Tableau environment.This connector, validated by Tableau and available for both Tableau Desktop and TableauServer, is tuned for optimal performance and offers a seamless user experience that looks andfeels like a native Tableau connector.What I like about this connector is that the installation is straightforward: just download theconnector file (.taco) and place it in the “My Tableau Repository/Connectors” folder.Once this is done, you’ll see the Yellowbrick connector in the Connect pane within yourTableau interface.Best Third-Party Tableau ConnectorsLastly, we have the category of third-party Tableau connectors, built by orgs and companiesto fill the gaps in the existing connector database. Here are the five best ones that you need toknow about:11. Alpha Serve Tableau ConnectorsFirst up, we have Alpha Serve: if you use Jira, Zendesk, Shopify, and other such popularbusiness apps, it’s the perfect connector for you.It offers you a suite of enterprise-grade Tableau connectors that you can use to import datafrom such business apps.
Crucially, these connectors function as no-code solutions – which means you can create datasources and generate a URL link within the source application.This is then connected to Tableau via an OData feed for straightforward data transfer.One of its key features of these connectors is that they can perform customized data exports.You can also apply filters and select specific tables and fields (including custom ones you cancreate by working with data visualization consultants) to ensure only relevant data istransferred to Tableau.You can also use these connectors for ongoing reporting: they support scheduled datarefreshes on both Tableau Server and Tableau Cloud. So, they’re also very useful in helpingyou maintain up-to-date dashboards with the latest information.12. Devart ODBC Tableau ConnectorsNext up, we have another group of connectors by Devart ODBC.This suite of Tableau Connectors is designed to help you connect Tableau to a wide array ofdatabases and cloud services that lack native or partner-built connectors.They function as a universal bridge: you can use them to access data from sources likeOracle, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Salesforce, Shopify, and QuickBooks directly within Tableau.It does this by translating standard SQL queries into the native protocol of the target datasource.One thing I really like about these connectors is the high-performance Direct Mode. Itestablishes a native connection to the database or cloud service without requiring additionalclient software. This way, it both streamlines setup and improves data access speed.It is important to note that using any ODBC connector, including Devart’s, requires additionalconfiguration. So, you’ll need to install the specific driver on your machine and set up a DataSource Name (DSN) before you can connect through Tableau’s “Other Databases (ODBC)”option.If you run into any difficulties, you might want to work with data visualization serviceproviders – they can help you make the most of Devart’s Tableau connectors!
13. CData Tableau ConnectorsCData Tableau Connectors are a suite of Tableau-certified third-party connectors.They provide real-time SQL-based connectivity to over 250 data sources. You can use it toanalyze live data in Tableau without running complex ETL processes.These connectors are very useful for integrating data from applications, databases, and APIswith Tableau:● SaaS applications like Salesforce, NetSuite, and SAP.● Databases such as MongoDB and Cassandra.● Cloud services like Google BigQuery and Amazon S3.One feature that stands out to me is that it supports both Live Mode and Data Extract Mode.Live Mode provides instant access to real-time data for up-to-the-second insights, whileExtract Mode allows for high-speed, in-memory performance and scheduled data refreshes.The connectors expose rich metadata for automated data discovery, making complex datasources instantly Tableau-ready.Lastly, you must note that CData offers these connectors through a subscription model, whichprovides access to the entire suite of over 200 connectors, along with product updates anddedicated technical support for the subscription duration.14. Simba Tableau ConnectorsNext up, we have the Simba Tableau Connectors – a suite of high-performance,enterprise-grade ODBC and JDBC drivers.They help you connect Tableau with major big data and cloud data platforms.Simba has built them to handle petabyte-scale data environments – so they’re perfectly suitedto mission-critical dashboards where performance and consistent uptime are non-negotiable.One of its most important features is pushdown processing: it optimizes query performanceby pushing filters, joins, and aggregations directly to the data source. This allows it to reduce
system load and speed up data retrieval in Tableau. They also offer SQL-based access tocomplex sources (Google BigQuery, Amazon Redshift, Hadoop, and Snowflake).I also like that Simba has prioritized security as a central design principle of its Tableauconnectors. So, its enterprise-grade features, including OAuth 2.0, Kerberos, and SSL/TLSencryption, meet strict compliance standards.15. Progress DataDirect Tableau ConnectorsThe last Tableau connector on my list is Progress DataDirect’s suite of Tableau Connectors.The suite includes a variety of third-party ODBC and JDBC drivers that provide standardizedSQL access to a wide range of data sources.What I really like about this suite is that you can use it to work with Tableau + other businessintelligence tools.Plus, they offer reliable connectivity to both on-premises and cloud-based data. So, whetheryou want to integrate relational databases, Big Data systems, NoSQL databases, or SaaSapplications, Progress’ suite is the only one you’ll need to use.A key feature is their ability to prepare these diverse and unstructured data sources forself-service analytics, allowing them to be visualized directly in Tableau. They are alsocertified against industry standards like ODBC and JDBC, ensuring compatibility and robustperformance.Lastly, Progress’s connectors come with robust security features. This includes protectingcustomer-sensitive data with encryption both at rest (AES-256) and in transit (SSL/TLS).The connectors are designed for enterprise-scale use, with more than 10,000 globalenterprises, including 96 of the Fortune 100, relying on them for their data connectivityneeds.
Connect with Tableau and Start Visualizing YourDataThere you have it – a list of the 15 best Tableau connectors on the market.All of them offer seamless and secure integrations with Tableau – but the main differencebetween them is twofold: what data they allow you to integrate with Tableau and their ease ofuse.Some of the connectors I’ve mentioned, specifically the native tools, are availableout-of-the-box but not versatile – they can only integrate specific databases.Others, especially the third-party tools, are comparatively more difficult to install. But,they’re well worth the time and effort it takes to install because they can help you bringtogether multiple data sources.However, if you’re not sure as to which Tableau connector you should use or need some helpinstalling the connector of your choice, reach out to us at Augmented Tech Labs.We specialize in helping SMBs, solopreneurs, and enterprises connect their businessecosystems with data visualization tools like Tableau.So, tell us about your requirements, connect with us for a free consultation, and let us helpyou create a unified data visualization and analysis workflow for your operations!Tableau Connectors: FAQs1. What are Tableau data connectors?Tableau data connectors are software bridges that link your data sources to Tableau, enablingdirect data analysis and visualization without manual export processes.
2. When should I hire a data visualization consultant?A data visualization consultant is ideal for complex connector setups, custom data modeling,and creating advanced, tailored dashboard solutions for your business.3. What’s the difference between Tableau database connectors andcloud connectors?Tableau database connectors link to on-premises systems like SQL Server, while Tableaucloud connectors integrate with SaaS platforms like Salesforce via web APIs.4. What does the Tableau Salesforce connector do?The native Tableau Salesforce connector pulls CRM data into Tableau for analysis,supporting data extracts and cross-database joins for a unified view.5. Can third-party Tableau data connectors handle live data?Yes, many third-party connectors support live data connections, allowing for real-timeanalysis of data from sources not natively supported by Tableau.