Analytics-Admn-201 Salesforce Certified Tableau Server Administrator Questions and Answers

Tableau Server can record performance metrics for workbooks to troubleshoot slow-loading views. This feature must be enabled at the site level (via Settings > General > Allow Performance Recording). Once enabled, you can trigger recording for a specific view by modifying its URL.

The correct syntax is to append :record_performance=yes& to the view URL, immediately after the session ID. For example:

Original URL: http://server/#/site/my-site/views/workbook/view?:iid=1

Modified URL: http://server/#/site/my-site/views/workbook/view?:iid=1:record_performance=yes &

After loading the view with this parameter, a performance recording is generated and accessible via the Performance option in the toolbar.

Option B (Type :record_performance=yes& at the end of the view URL, immediately after the session ID): Correct. This follows Tableau’s documented method for enabling performance recording.

Option A (Click the Performance link in the toolbar): Incorrect. The Performance link appears only after recording is triggered via the URL; it’s not the method to enable it.

Option C (Type :record_performance=yes& immediately before the session ID): Incorrect. The parameter must follow the session ID (e.g., :iid=1) to function correctly.

Option D (Delete the session ID in the URL and reload the view): Incorrect. The session ID is required for the view to load properly; removing it breaks the URL.

Editing permissions on a workbook in Tableau Server depends on the user’s role and the project’s permission settings. Since permissions are not locked (i.e., "Managed by Owner"), let’s dissect who can edit them:

Permission Model:

Not Locked: Owners of content (workbooks, data sources) can set permissions, and Project Leaders can override at the project level.

Site Roles: Define maximum capabilities (e.g., Viewer, Explorer, Creator).

Capabilities: "Set Permissions" is explicit—only certain users get it.

Option C (The workbook’s owner): Correct.

Details: The owner (typically the publisher) has full control over their workbook when permissions are Managed by Owner:

How: In the UI, go to Content > Workbooks > Actions > Permissions—owners can edit rules (e.g., grant Editor to a group).

Site Role: Minimum of Explorer (can publish) or Creator to publish, ensuring "Set Permissions" capability.

Why: Ownership inherently includes permission management unless locked.

Option D (Users set to Project Leader for the workbook’s project): Correct.

Details: Project Leaders are assigned via Content > Projects > Actions > Permissions > Set Project Leader:

Power: Can edit permissions for all content in the project, even if not the owner.

Site Role: Requires Site Administrator or Server Administrator (Creator/Explorer variants suffice).

Why: Overrides ownership in Managed by Owner mode—ensures project-level governance.

Option A (Users with project and workbook Viewer role): Incorrect.

Why: Viewer role (site-level) limits users to viewing—lacks "Set Permissions" capability, regardless of project/workbook rules.

Option B (Users with workbook Interactor role): Incorrect.

Why: "Interactor" isn’t a standard role—likely a misnomer for Explorer or Viewer with interaction permissions (e.g., Filter). No permission-editing rights exist here.

Why This Matters: Knowing who can edit permissions prevents access control gaps—crucial for collaborative or regulated environments.

TSM is Tableau Server’s management layer, accessible via CLI or web UI (port 8850). HTTPS secures this access—let’s identify the responsible process:

TSM Architecture:

Administration Controller: Core TSM process, running on the initial node, handling configuration, UI, and CLI commands.

HTTPS: Enabled by default on port 8850 with a self-signed certificate (configurable to custom certs).

Option B (Administration Controller): Correct.

Details: Hosts the TSM web UI (https:// :8850) and processes CLI requests. It manages the HTTPS listener, serving the interface securely.

Why: It’s the central hub for TSM operations, including secure access.

Option A (License Manager): Incorrect.

Why: Validates licenses, not responsible for HTTPS or UI access.

Option C (Administration Agent): Incorrect.

Why: Runs on additional nodes in multi-node setups to relay commands to the Controller—no direct HTTPS role.

Option D (Coordination Service): Incorrect.

Why: ZooKeeper manages cluster state, not TSM’s web interface or HTTPS.

Why This Matters: Secure TSM access protects server administration—Administration Controller is the linchpin.

Data-driven alerts notify users when data meets conditions (e.g., sales > $10K). Let’s examine when Tableau checks these:

Alert Mechanics:

Enabled per site (Settings > General > Data-Driven Alerts).

Backgrounder evaluates conditions against extract data.

Check Intervals: Configurable via tsm configuration set -k dataAlerts.checkIntervalInMinutes (default: 60 minutes).

Refresh Trigger: Also checks post-extract refresh for immediate updates.

Option A (Every 60 minutes): Correct.

Details: Default interval—Backgrounder polls every hour to evaluate alert conditions.

Config: Adjustable (e.g., -v 30 for 30 minutes).

Option D (Whenever extracts in the related workbook are refreshed): Correct.

Details: An extract refresh updates the data, triggering an immediate alert check to catch changes promptly.

Why: Ensures timely notifications without waiting for the next poll.

Option B (Every 10 minutes): Incorrect.

Why: Not the default—possible via config, but not standard.

Option C (Whenever a new extract is published): Incorrect.

Why: Publishing creates the extract; alerts trigger on refreshes or polling, not initial publication.

Why This Matters: Timing affects alert responsiveness—balancing frequency and server load is key.

When a user reports slow performance for a newly-published workbook on Tableau Server, troubleshooting requires isolating the cause—e.g., data source issues, server load, workbook design, or caching. The first question should establish a baseline to narrow the scope. Let’s analyze this step-by-step with depth:

Performance Context:

A workbook’s speed depends on:

Data Source: Query complexity, size, network latency (e.g., database vs. extract).

Workbook Design: Filters, calculations, dashboard complexity.

Server Resources: VizQL rendering, Backgrounder load, caching.

"Newly-published" implies it’s not yet optimized or cached on the server.

Option A (Does it run any faster in Tableau Desktop?): Correct.

Why First: Comparing Desktop vs. Server performance is the most foundational diagnostic step:

Desktop Baseline: If it’s slow in Desktop (local machine), the issue likely lies in the workbook (e.g., complex queries, large data) or data source (e.g., slow database)—not Server-specific.

Server Difference: If it’s fast in Desktop but slow on Server, the problem could be server-side (e.g., resource contention, network latency to the data source from Server).

Practical Next Steps:

Slow in Desktop: Optimize workbook (e.g., simplify calcs, use extracts).

Fast in Desktop: Check Server (e.g., caching, VizQL load).

Why Critical: Establishes whether the issue is inherent to the workbook/data or introduced by Server—guides all further investigation.

Option B (Does the workbook always run slowly or does performance vary?): Useful but secondary.

Why Not First: Variability (e.g., slow at peak times) points to server load, but without a Desktop baseline, you can’t rule out workbook design. It’s a follow-up question after A.

Detail: Variability might suggest caching or concurrent user impact, but it assumes Server-side causation prematurely.

Option C (How many times have you opened the workbook in Tableau Server?): Less relevant initially.

Why Not First: Frequency of access might affect caching (first load is slower, subsequent loads faster), but it’s too specific and doesn’t isolate Desktop vs. Server. It’s a niche follow-up.

Option D (Did you enable caching on the workbook?): Misleading and incorrect.

Why Not First: Caching is server-managed (e.g., VizQL cache settings via tsm data-access caching set), not a user-toggle per workbook. Users don’t "enable" it—admins do. Plus, it’s premature without a baseline.

Why This Matters: Starting with Desktop performance cuts through assumptions, pinpointing whether the root cause is client-side (workbook/data) or server-side—essential for efficient resolution in production.

Tableau Server’s installer configures process instances based on hardware and deployment type (single-node vs. multi-node). For a single-node installation with 4 cores, we need to consider the default process topology. Let’s break this down exhaustively:

Key Processes:

Gateway: Handles incoming requests (1 instance).

Application Server (VizPortal): Manages UI and sessions (1 instance).

VizQL Server: Renders visualizations (2 instances).

Backgrounder: Runs extract refreshes, subscriptions (1 instance).

Data Server: Manages data connections (1 instance).

File Store: Stores extracts (1 instance).

Repository: Metadata database (1 instance, active).

Cluster Controller, Cache Server, etc.: Supporting processes (typically 1 each).

Default Configuration:

On a single-node install, Tableau sets 1 instance per process unless specified otherwise, except for VizQL, which defaults to 2.

The installer doesn’t scale instances linearly with cores (e.g., 4 cores ≠ 4 instances). Post-install, TSM can adjust this (e.g., tsm topology set-process), but the question asks for the installed default.

Minimum hardware (8 cores, 32 GB RAM) suggests higher defaults, but 4 cores still triggers a minimal setup.

Option B (1): Correct with Caveat.

Most processes (e.g., Backgrounder, Gateway, Data Server) default to 1 instance on install, regardless of 4 cores.

VizQL defaults to 2, but the question’s phrasing ("each process") implies a general rule. Historically (and per docs), 1 is the baseline for most, with VizQL as the exception.

Interpretation: Assuming "each" means the typical case, 1 fits most processes on a 4-core single-node setup.

Option A (2): Incorrect. Only VizQL defaults to 2; others don’t.

Option C (8): Incorrect. Far exceeds defaults—8 cores might justify more, but not 4.

Option D (4): Incorrect. Not tied to core count by default; manual config would be needed.

Why This Matters: Understanding defaults aids capacity planning—4 cores is below production minimum (8), so performance tuning may be needed post-install.

Abandoned workbooks—those no longer actively used—can clutter Tableau Server and consume resources (e.g., disk space for extracts). Identifying them efficiently requires leveraging built-in administrative tools rather than manual or destructive methods. Let’s explore this in depth:

Tableau Server Admin Views: Tableau provides pre-built administrative views to monitor server health, usage, and content. The Stale Content view, accessible under Server > Status > Administrative Views, is specifically designed to identify content (workbooks, data sources) that hasn’t been viewed or modified recently. It shows:

Content name, owner, and project.

Last viewed date and last modified date.

View count over a period.This view uses Repository data to track usage metrics, making it ideal for spotting abandoned workbooks.

Option A (Use the Stale Content administrative view): Correct. This is the most efficient and non-invasive method. You can filter by last viewed date (e.g., >30 days ago) to identify workbooks with large extracts that users have stopped accessing. From there, you can contact owners or delete the content if policy allows. It’s a server administrator’s go-to tool for content management.

Option B (Examine extract files in ProgramData/.../extract): Incorrect and impractical. The ProgramData/Tableau/Tableau Server/data/tabsvc/dataengine/extract directory stores .hyper extract files, but:

File names are cryptic (e.g., GUIDs), not tied directly to workbook names.

It doesn’t indicate usage or abandonment—only file presence and size.

Manual inspection is time-consuming and error-prone compared to the Stale Content view.

Option C (Delete all extracts and allow them to be re-generated): Incorrect and risky. Deleting extracts (e.g., via tsm maintenance cleanup) removes them without identifying usage. Regeneration only occurs if a schedule or user triggers it, potentially disrupting active users and losing historical data unnecessarily.

Option D (View all workbooks, and sort by the Modified date): Partially effective but inefficient. In the Tableau Server UI (e.g., under Content > Workbooks), you can sort by "Last Modified," but:

It doesn’t show viewership (a workbook might be modified recently but unused).

It’s manual and doesn’t scale for large deployments compared to the Stale Content view.

Why This Matters: The Stale Content view leverages Tableau’s metadata to provide actionable insights, saving time and reducing risk compared to manual or destructive alternatives. It’s part of Tableau’s governance toolkit.

Tableau Server provides multiple methods to create groups (collections of users) and projects (content containers), catering to UI, CLI, and programmatic needs. Let’s dissect each option with depth:

Option B (Tableau Server browser interface): Correct.

Groups: Go to Users > Groups > Add Group, name it, and optionally sync with Active Directory.

Projects: Go to Content > Projects > New Project, set name, description, and permissions.

Details: The web UI is intuitive, requiring server/site administrator rights. It’s ideal for manual, ad-hoc creation with immediate visibility.

Permissions: For projects, you can set default permissions or lock them here.

Option C (tabcmd): Correct.

Groups: tabcmd creategroup "GroupName" creates a local group. Add users with tabcmd addusers "GroupName" --users "user1,user2".

Projects: tabcmd createproject -n "ProjectName" -d "Description" creates a project.

Details: tabcmd is a command-line tool for batch operations or scripting (e.g., automating group/project setup). It requires a server admin login (tabcmd login).

Limitation: No AD sync via tabcmd—that’s UI or REST API territory.

Option D (REST API): Correct.

Groups: Use the POST /api/api-version/sites/site-id/groups endpoint with a payload (e.g., {"group": {"name": "GroupName"}}). Supports AD import too.

Projects: Use POST /api/api-version/sites/site-id/projects (e.g., {"project": {"name": "ProjectName", "description": "Desc"}}).

Details: The REST API is programmatic, ideal for integration with external systems or bulk automation. Requires authentication via a token and server/site admin rights.

Power: Offers full control, including nested projects and custom permissions.

Option A (tsm customize): Incorrect.

Purpose: tsm customize modifies TSM UI branding (e.g., logos, colors) via commands like tsm customize --logo "path/to/logo.png".

Why Wrong: It’s unrelated to creating groups or projects—it’s for cosmetic server configuration, not content/user management.

Why This Matters: Offering UI, CLI, and API options ensures flexibility—manual for small tasks, automation for scale—critical in enterprise deployments.

TSM commands manage Tableau Server maintenance—let’s validate their syntax:

Command Requirements:

Some need arguments (e.g., file paths); others are standalone.

Valid and Complete: Must work as-is without errors.

Option C (tsm maintenance cleanup): Correct.

Details: Removes temporary files and old logs—no arguments required (optional flags like -l exist).

Use: tsm maintenance cleanup—runs fully.

Option D (tsm maintenance ziplogs): Correct.

Details: Creates a zip of logs (e.g., tsm-logs.zip)—no arguments needed (optional -d for date range).

Use: tsm maintenance ziplogs—complete and valid.

Option A (tsm maintenance backup): Incorrect.

Why: Requires -f .tsbak (e.g., tsm maintenance backup -f backup.tsbak)—incomplete without it.

Option B (tsm maintenance restore): Incorrect.

Why: Needs -f .tsbak (e.g., tsm maintenance restore -f backup.tsbak)—not standalone.

Why This Matters: Correct syntax ensures maintenance tasks execute without errors—critical for server health.

Tableau Desktop and Tableau Server have versioning considerations when publishing content, particularly regarding compatibility between older Desktop versions (e.g., 10.5) and newer Server versions (e.g., 2020.1). Let’s break this down step-by-step:

Version Context: Tableau Desktop 10.5 was released in 2017 and used the .tde (Tableau Data Extract) format for extracts. Tableau Server 2020.1, released in 2020, introduced the .hyper extract format (starting with version 10.5, but fully standardized later). When publishing from an older Desktop version to a newer Server version, Tableau ensures backward compatibility but may upgrade certain components.

Publishing Process: With a Creator site role and Publisher permissions, you have the rights to publish workbooks to the specified project. Tableau Server accepts workbooks from older Desktop versions (e.g., 10.5) and upgrades them to the current Server version (2020.1) during publishing. This process is seamless for the workbook itself, but extracts require special handling.

Extract Handling: If the workbook contains embedded .tde extracts (stored within the .twb or .twbx file), Tableau Server 2020.1 converts these to .hyper format upon publishing. This conversion is necessary because .hyper replaced .tde as the default extract engine starting in Tableau 10.5 and beyond, offering better performance and scalability. During this process, Tableau Desktop or Server displays a warning to inform the user of the upgrade, as it’s a one-way conversion (you can’t revert to .tde on the Server).

Now, let’s evaluate the options:

Option A (You will successfully publish without any errors or warnings): Incorrect. While the publishing succeeds, a warning about the .tde to .hyper conversion appears if the workbook contains embedded extracts. Without extracts, no warning occurs, but the question’s context implies extracts are likely involved (common in visualizations).

Option B (Error message: unable to publish to a newer version): Incorrect. Tableau supports publishing from older Desktop versions to newer Server versions. There’s no outright error blocking this; compatibility is maintained.

Option C (Warning: embedded .tde extracts will be upgraded to .hyper): Correct. This is the precise warning displayed when a workbook with .tde extracts is published to a Server version that uses .hyper. It ensures the user is aware of the format change, which might affect extract refresh schedules or performance expectations.

Option D (Warning: workbook will be upgraded to a new version): Partially correct but less specific. The workbook is upgraded to 2020.1 compatibility, but the warning focuses on the extract format change (.tde to .hyper), not the workbook version generically. Option C is more accurate.

Why This Matters: The .tde to .hyper shift improves query performance and supports larger datasets, but users need to know about it for planning (e.g., extract refresh schedules might need adjustment). The warning ensures transparency.

Tableau Server’s search functionality relies on an indexed catalog of content (workbooks, data sources, etc.) stored in the Repository. If a user can see a workbook in the UI (e.g., under Content > Workbooks) but not find it via search, the search index may be outdated or corrupted. This can happen due to:

Indexing delays after publishing.

Server maintenance or crashes affecting the index.

Option D (Run the tsm maintenance reindex-search command): Correct. This command rebuilds the search index, ensuring all content (including the user’s workbook) is properly cataloged and searchable. Steps:

Stop Tableau Server (tsm stop).

Run tsm maintenance reindex-search.

Start Tableau Server (tsm start).This is a server administrator task and resolves systemic search issues.

Option A (Re-publish the workbook with keywords): Incorrect. Re-publishing might update the index for that workbook, but it doesn’t fix a broader indexing problem. Keywords enhance relevance, not indexing itself.

Option B (Add tags to the workbook): Incorrect. Tags improve searchability but don’t address an index failure. If the workbook isn’t indexed, tags won’t help.

Option C (Log out, and then log back in): Incorrect. This refreshes the user session but doesn’t affect the server-side search index.

Why This Matters: A reliable search index is critical for content discovery in large deployments—reindex-search ensures consistency.

Deleting a user in Tableau Server involves handling their owned content (workbooks, data sources)—let’s analyze the process:

Deletion Rules:

Ownership Check: Tableau prevents deletion if the user owns content to avoid orphaning it.

Action: Instead of deleting, the user’s site role is set to Unlicensed, retaining their account and content ownership.

Resolution: An admin must reassign ownership (e.g., via Users > Actions > Change Owner) before deletion.

Option D (User switched to Unlicensed and NOT deleted): Correct.

Details: Attempting deletion (e.g., Users > Select User > Actions > Delete) triggers a check. If content exists, the user becomes Unlicensed—still in the system but unable to log in.

Why: Protects data integrity—content remains accessible for reassignment.

Option A (Deleted, content to server admin): Incorrect.

Why: No automatic reassignment to the server admin—manual action is required first.

Option B (Deleted, content to project leader): Incorrect.

Why: Project leaders don’t automatically inherit content—no such mechanism exists.

Option C (User and content deleted): Incorrect.

Why: Tableau avoids deleting content with the user—too destructive without explicit intent.

Why This Matters: This safeguard prevents accidental data loss, ensuring admins manage ownership transitions deliberately.

Tableau Server supports multi-tenancy via sites, each with customizable settings managed by server or site administrators. Let’s analyze what’s configurable per site:

Site Settings: Found in the web UI under Site > Settings > General. Server admins can override site admin settings.

Option B (Limitation on storage space): Correct.

Details: Server admins can set a storage quota per site (e.g., 100 GB) to cap disk usage for extracts and workbooks.

How: In TSM or site settings (if enabled)—e.g., tsm configuration set -k site.storage.quota -v 100000.

Impact: Prevents one site from monopolizing resources in multi-site deployments.

Option D (Language and locale): Correct.

Details: Each site can set its language (e.g., English, French) and locale (e.g., date/number formats).

How: Site settings UI—e.g., "Language: French, Locale: France."

Impact: Tailors the user experience per site’s audience.

Option A (Ability to embed credentials): Incorrect.

Details: Embedding credentials (e.g., in data sources) is a server-wide setting (tsm data-access), not per-site. Site admins can’t override it.

Option C (Limitation on number of users): Incorrect.

Details: User limits are tied to licenses (server-wide), not configurable per site. Site admins manage user assignments, not quotas.

Why This Matters: Site-specific settings enable tailored governance and resource allocation in multi-tenant environments.