Live versus extracted data
Tableau broadly gives two options for connection types for the data behind your data models. These are Live and Extract.
If you choose a live connection, Tableau will query your data source every time a user interacts with a visualization when it needs to get additional data that isn’t in the view. If you choose to extract the data, Tableau will move the data from where the data is sourced to a high-performance analytical store.
The most basic use case for live connections is when the analysis being performed needs to occur on up-to-the-minute data. When the analysis is slightly delayed, as of the end of the close of business of the previous day, for example, an extract will often make the most sense as it allows for faster query time and less impact on operational databases. These use cases often simplify the many nuisances that determine the best option between live connections and extracts. We will explore each of these considerations as they...