Tableau
Tableau is one of Rice’s enterprise data visualization platforms for interactive reporting, dashboard publishing, and shared analytics. EDBI supports Tableau Server, report access, report development standards, training resources, and governed use of Tableau for institutional and departmental reporting.
Trusted Visual Analytics for Decision-Making
Tableau supports interactive reporting and visual analytics for Rice teams that need shared dashboards, published workbooks, and consistent report design. With Tableau, Rice can:
- Access published reports and dashboards through Tableau Server at dataviz.rice.edu
- Use Tableau Desktop and Tableau Prep Builder for licensed report authoring, data shaping, and publishing workflows
- Apply Rice Tableau templates, report standards, and access controls so shared reporting remains consistent and supportable
Want to use Tableau today?
Open Tableau Server to view reports and dashboards shared with you.
Need to build or publish?
Start with the Rice Tableau Desktop install guide.
Tableau Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use Tableau at Rice?
Rice faculty and staff can use Tableau Server to view reports shared with them. Tableau Desktop and Tableau Prep Builder are licensed tools for users who author, prepare, or publish Tableau content.
Where do I open Tableau reports?
Open Tableau Server at dataviz.rice.edu. Tableau Server is available on the Rice network and from off campus through VPN.
What is Tableau Server?
Tableau Server is the governed web environment where Tableau reports, dashboards, workbooks, data sources, and flows can be hosted and shared. At Rice, Tableau Server is available at dataviz.rice.edu and acts as the secure front door for published Tableau content. It lets approved users view and interact with dashboards in a browser while access, report publishing, and governed data sharing remain managed through Rice and EDBI processes.
What is Tableau Desktop?
Tableau Desktop is the authoring application for building Tableau workbooks, visualizations, and dashboards. Report authors use Desktop to connect to data, explore patterns with a visual drag-and-drop interface, design dashboards, and publish completed work to Tableau Server. At Rice, Tableau Desktop is best for users who create or maintain reports, not for people who only need to view dashboards.
What is Tableau Prep Builder?
Tableau Prep Builder is the data preparation tool in the Tableau product suite. It helps report authors connect to data, combine sources, clean fields, rename or split values, pivot data, join or union tables, and create visual preparation flows before analysis. At Rice, Prep Builder is useful when a Tableau report needs repeatable data cleanup before the data is analyzed or published, especially for departmental data that is not already prepared through a governed enterprise source.
How do I request access to a Tableau report?
Request access to an existing Tableau report by identifying the report, dashboard, or business area you need. Access to governed data may require approval from the appropriate data steward.
Where can I find templates and training?
Use the Tableau template and style guide for Rice report standards, and use the Tableau training resources page for learning materials, Tableau listserver information, and related support.
How is Tableau data security handled?
Access to Tableau reports and underlying data should follow Rice data governance requirements. Report access should be limited to approved users with a business need, and published institutional reports should follow EDBI standards where applicable.