Tableau Desktop vs Public vs Server vs Cloud - Formula Comparison Trace

Sample Data

Comparison table of key features for Tableau Desktop, Public, Server, and Cloud editions.

Cell	Value
A1	Feature
B1	Desktop
C1	Public
D1	Server
E1	Cloud
A2	Cost
B2	Paid License
C2	Free
D2	Paid License
E2	Subscription
A3	Data Privacy
B3	Private
C3	Public (no privacy)
D3	Private
E3	Private
A4	Data Sources
B4	Many types
C4	Limited types
D4	Many types
E4	Many types
A5	Sharing
B5	Save locally or publish
C5	Publish to web only
D5	Share via server
E5	Share via cloud
A6	Use Case
B6	Authoring and analysis
C6	Public sharing
D6	Enterprise sharing
E6	Enterprise cloud sharing

Formula Trace

IF([Cost] = "Free", "Public Edition", IF([Sharing] = "Share via server", "Server Edition", IF([Sharing] = "Share via cloud", "Cloud Edition", "Desktop Edition")))

Step 1: Check Cost value in row 2 for each edition

Step 2: IF Cost = Free then 'Public Edition' else next condition

Step 3: For others, check Sharing method

Step 4: IF Sharing = 'Share via server' then 'Server Edition'

Step 5: IF Sharing = 'Share via cloud' then 'Cloud Edition'

Step 6: Else 'Desktop Edition'

Cell Reference Map

    A           B               C           D               E
1 | Feature | Desktop       | Public    | Server       | Cloud       |
2 | Cost    | Paid License  | Free      | Paid License | Subscription|
3 | Data Privacy | Private | Public (no privacy) | Private      | Private     |
4 | Data Sources | Many types | Limited types | Many types | Many types |
5 | Sharing | Save locally or publish | Publish to web only | Share via server | Share via cloud |
6 | Use Case | Authoring and analysis | Public sharing | Enterprise sharing | Enterprise cloud sharing |

Arrows:
- From B2, C2, D2, E2 (Cost) to formula
- From B5, C5, D5, E5 (Sharing) to formula

The formula uses Cost (row 2) and Sharing (row 5) columns from each edition to decide the edition type.

Result

    A           B               C           D               E
1 | Feature | Desktop       | Public    | Server       | Cloud       |
2 | Cost    | Paid License  | Free      | Paid License | Subscription|
3 | Data Privacy | Private | Public (no privacy) | Private      | Private     |
4 | Data Sources | Many types | Limited types | Many types | Many types |
5 | Sharing | Save locally or publish | Publish to web only | Share via server | Share via cloud |
6 | Use Case | Authoring and analysis | Public sharing | Enterprise sharing | Enterprise cloud sharing |
7 | Edition | Desktop Edition | Public Edition | Server Edition | Cloud Edition |

The final row 7 shows the edition type identified by the formula for each column based on Cost and Sharing.

Sheet Trace Quiz - 3 Questions

Which edition is identified as 'Public Edition' by the formula?

A The edition with Data Privacy = Private

B The edition with Sharing = 'Share via server'

C The edition with Cost = Free

D The edition with Use Case = Authoring

Key Result

IF Cost = 'Free' THEN 'Public Edition' ELSE IF Sharing = 'Share via server' THEN 'Server Edition' ELSE IF Sharing = 'Share via cloud' THEN 'Cloud Edition' ELSE 'Desktop Edition'

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