Set up the data connection in Tableau

Follow the instructions in your Tableau product's online help that describe how to use web data connectors.

For example, to set up the data connection with FileMaker Server Web Data Connector for Tableau Desktop:

In Tableau Desktop, under Connect (at the left side of the screen), choose More > Web Data Connector.
Enter the URL for your FileMaker Server endpoint

https://hostname/fmi/data/v1/tableau/fm_connector.html

where hostname is the fully qualified host name of your FileMaker Server.
In the Import Data from FileMaker File dialog box:
- Sign in to the FileMaker Pro database by entering the following information or by using an OAuth identity provider.
- Select Enable incremental refresh to enable incremental refresh.
Click Import FileMaker Data.

Tableau imports the data. The processing time depends on the number of records imported, server load, and network throughput. Tableau maps FileMaker Pro field names and data to dimensions and measures. String data is typically mapped to dimensions, while numeric data is typically mapped to measures. The mapping occurs automatically during import, but you can customize it.

Notes

When specifying the Source Layout Name, make sure the layout name is unique. If your database has two layouts with the same name, the Tableau data connection cannot distinguish between them. Tableau displays only one name, and it may not be the layout you wanted.
When setting up the data connection in Tableau, do not select the option to prompt the user for authentication.
Use Enable incremental refresh to import only the new records.
1. After importing FileMaker data with incremental refresh enabled, select the Sheet tab in Tableau to go to the worksheet.
2. Choose Data > FM: database-name / layout-name > Extract > Refresh (Incremental).
3. Select the Data Source tab.
4. Click Update Now to display the new records.
Enabling incremental refresh does not create an ongoing, live connection between Tableau and the hosted FileMaker database. You must run the incremental refresh manually.
Incremental refresh imports only the new records. FileMaker Pro records that have been modified or deleted are not updated. To get modified data or to remove deleted records, you must create a new workbook in Tableau and reimport the data.
Incremental refresh creates a field named -recordId. If you make changes to this field, you may be unable to perform an incremental refresh.
In Tableau, you can change the schema and data that has been imported. But if you modify the schema or data in Tableau, those changes are not transmitted back to the FileMaker Pro file.
If you change the schema in the FileMaker Pro file, you must create a new workbook in Tableau and reimport the data.
If you close the Tableau workbook and reopen it, incremental import no longer works.
After the data connection is established to Tableau, the FileMaker Web Data Connector caches the user account and password until the workbook is closed, with the following considerations:
- If the FileMaker session times out while you are connected to Tableau, the FileMaker Web Data Connector tries to reconnect the user to the hosted database.
- If the Tableau connection expires, the FileMaker Web Data Connector tries to reconnect to the hosted database as long as the Tableau workbook is open.
- If the Tableau refresh token expires, you need to republish the data source in Tableau Desktop.
- If the workbook is closed and then reopened, you must enter your account name and password again during the initial data import.
The Tableau Data Source page displays up to 1,000,000 (one million) rows, even if more records are imported.
Using special characters in database names, table names, or layout names make prevent Tableau from establishing a data connection.