Tableau Desktop vs Public vs Server vs Cloud - Quick Revision & Key Differences

Recall & Review

beginner

What is Tableau Desktop primarily used for?

Tableau Desktop is used to create, design, and publish interactive data visualizations and dashboards. It is a paid software that runs on your computer and connects to many data sources.

beginner

What is the main limitation of Tableau Public compared to Tableau Desktop?

Tableau Public is free but requires all workbooks to be saved publicly on Tableau's cloud. It has fewer data connection options and less privacy than Tableau Desktop.

intermediate

What is Tableau Server used for?

Tableau Server is used to share, manage, and collaborate on Tableau dashboards within an organization securely. It is installed on company servers or cloud infrastructure.

intermediate

How does Tableau Cloud differ from Tableau Server?

Tableau Cloud is Tableau's hosted cloud service version of Tableau Server. It removes the need for companies to manage their own servers and offers easy access via the internet.

beginner

Which Tableau product would you use if you want free public sharing of your dashboards?

You would use Tableau Public because it is free and designed for sharing dashboards publicly on the web.

Which Tableau product requires you to save your workbooks publicly?

A Tableau Server

B Tableau Public

C Tableau Desktop

D Tableau Cloud

Tableau Public requires all workbooks to be saved publicly on Tableau's cloud.

Which Tableau product is best for securely sharing dashboards within a company?

A Tableau Public

B Tableau Desktop

C Tableau Server

D Tableau Cloud

Tableau Server is designed for secure sharing and collaboration inside organizations.

What is a key advantage of Tableau Cloud over Tableau Server?

A It is free to use

B Allows public sharing only

C Supports more data sources

D No need to manage your own servers

Tableau Cloud is hosted by Tableau, so companies don't need to manage their own servers.

Which Tableau product is a paid desktop application for creating dashboards?

A Tableau Desktop

B Tableau Public

C Tableau Server

D Tableau Cloud

Tableau Desktop is the paid software used to create dashboards on your computer.

If you want to share dashboards publicly for free, which Tableau product should you choose?

A Tableau Public

B Tableau Server

C Tableau Cloud

D Tableau Desktop

Tableau Public allows free public sharing of dashboards.

Explain the main differences between Tableau Desktop, Tableau Public, Tableau Server, and Tableau Cloud.

Think about who uses each product and how dashboards are shared.

When would you choose Tableau Cloud over Tableau Server?

Consider the difference in hosting and maintenance.

Practice

1. Which Tableau product allows you to create dashboards privately on your own computer without sharing them online?

easy

A. Tableau Public

B. Tableau Server

C. Tableau Desktop

D. Tableau Cloud

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Tableau Desktop's purpose

   Tableau Desktop is designed for creating dashboards locally on your computer without automatic sharing.

2. Step 2: Compare with other products

   Tableau Public shares dashboards openly online; Server and Cloud are for team collaboration and sharing.

3. Final Answer:

   Tableau Desktop -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Private dashboard creation = Tableau Desktop [OK]

Hint: Private creation on PC means Tableau Desktop [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Tableau Public as private
• Thinking Server is for local use only
• Mixing Cloud with Desktop

2. Which of the following statements about Tableau Public is correct?

easy

A. It allows private dashboard sharing within a team.

B. It is a free platform to share dashboards openly on the internet.

C. It requires a paid subscription to publish dashboards.

D. It is used only for desktop dashboard creation.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Tableau Public's sharing model

   Tableau Public is free and shares dashboards openly on the internet for anyone to see.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Private sharing and paid subscriptions are features of Server or Cloud, not Public; Desktop is for creation, not Public sharing.

3. Final Answer:

   It is a free platform to share dashboards openly on the internet. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Free and open sharing = Tableau Public [OK]

Hint: Free and open sharing means Tableau Public [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming Tableau Public supports private sharing
• Confusing paid Server features with Public
• Thinking Public is only for desktop use

3. You have a dashboard created in Tableau Desktop. You want to share it securely with your team and allow collaboration. Which Tableau product should you use?

medium

A. Tableau Server

B. Tableau Desktop

C. Tableau Public

D. Tableau Reader

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify sharing and collaboration needs

   Secure sharing and team collaboration require a platform that supports user access control and multi-user interaction.

2. Step 2: Match product features

   Tableau Server provides secure, controlled sharing and collaboration; Public shares openly; Desktop is local; Reader only views dashboards.

3. Final Answer:

   Tableau Server -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Secure team sharing = Tableau Server [OK]

Hint: Secure team sharing means Tableau Server [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Tableau Public for secure sharing
• Confusing Tableau Reader as sharing tool
• Thinking Desktop supports team collaboration

4. A user tries to publish a dashboard created in Tableau Desktop to Tableau Public but wants to keep it private. What is the issue and how can it be fixed?

medium

A. Tableau Desktop cannot publish to Tableau Public.

B. The user must pay for Tableau Public to enable privacy settings.

C. The user should save the dashboard locally instead of publishing.

D. Tableau Public does not support private dashboards; use Tableau Server or Cloud instead.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Tableau Public's sharing model

   Tableau Public shares dashboards openly; it does not support private or restricted access.

2. Step 2: Identify correct alternative

   For private sharing, Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud should be used as they support access control.

3. Final Answer:

   Tableau Public does not support private dashboards; use Tableau Server or Cloud instead. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Public = open sharing only [OK]

Hint: Public means open sharing; private needs Server or Cloud [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking Tableau Public has privacy options
• Believing Tableau Desktop can't publish to Public
• Assuming payment unlocks privacy on Public

5. Your company wants to enable employees to create dashboards on their computers and share them securely with colleagues anywhere, without managing servers. Which Tableau product best fits this need?

hard

A. Tableau Desktop with Tableau Cloud

B. Tableau Public

C. Tableau Desktop with Tableau Server

D. Tableau Reader

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze company requirements

   Employees want to create dashboards locally and share securely without managing servers.

2. Step 2: Match product features

   Tableau Cloud provides secure sharing without server management; combined with Desktop for creation, it fits perfectly.

3. Step 3: Eliminate other options

   Server requires management; Public is open sharing; Reader only views dashboards.

4. Final Answer:

   Tableau Desktop with Tableau Cloud -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Local creation + secure cloud sharing = Desktop + Cloud [OK]

Hint: Cloud shares securely without server management [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing Server despite no server management desire
• Selecting Public for secure sharing
• Confusing Reader as a sharing tool