Tableau Prep is a tool for preparing, shaping, and cleaning data before analysis. It allows you to create visual data preparation flows and publish output data sources to Tableau Server.
Activating Tableau Prep requires a Creator license. See our Licensing Guide to learn more.
When to Use Tableau Prep
Use Tableau Prep if you need to:
- Clean or reshape your own departmental data
- Join multiple local data sources before analysis
- Create reusable flows for data preparation
Using LITE Enterprise Data Sources with Tableau Prep is not allowed as flows created in Tableau Prep do not retain the permissions of the original sources.
Flow Scheduling Limitations
Georgia Tech’s Tableau Server does not include the Advanced Management add-on, which is required for scheduling Tableau Prep flows.
- Any flows created in Tableau Prep must be run manually to refresh data
- Scheduled refreshes are not available at this time
If your workflow depends on scheduled data updates, consider preparing your data in another tool before publishing.
Installing Tableau Prep
Tableau Prep Builder is included with a Tableau Creator license and can be installed on Windows and macOS. Please use version 2024.2.10 or earlier to ensure compatibility with Georgia Tech’s Tableau Server.
Activating Tableau Prep
Since the GT Enterprise Tableau Server uses login-based license management (LBLM), users with a Tableau Creator license can activate Tableau Prep by selecting Activate by signing in to a server and connecting to https://tableau.gatech.edu.