I’m going to try a little different format for this post. Instead of mostly text, I did a walk-through video of the new features. There’s still a summary of the best new Tableau Online features in 2021.2 below, and some additional information I didn’t cover in the video.
Walk-through video
Summary of top features
1. Ask Data
There is a powerful new concept called a Lens for Ask Data now. It’s a configurable “view” of Ask Data that limits fields and permissions for the Ask Data Lens. You can also embed an Ask Data Lens into your dashboards now.
Last cool thing with Ask Data is that Viewers can now use it. That’s a big bonus.
Check out more info on Lenses here: https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/ask_data_lenses.htm
2. Explain Data
Explain Data is now available for Viewers (just like Ask Data). Don’t forget that Explain Data has to be enabled for each dashboard you publish so that Tableau Online users can utilize it.
3. Collections
Content navigation is always a challenge. There’s new content every day inside and outside of your company. It’s no different with Tableau content. Tableau has slowly added content curation abilities over the years. Now it’s gone full curation mode.
Collections allow you to add Tableau objects (workbooks, data sources, lenses, etc.) all in one place and control the audience. That means you can make private or public collections that hold content across any project on your site.
Before you were limited to favorites, projects, etc. This is a big step forward for personalized and targeted content.
4. Immediate transition button from Web Edit to Tableau Desktop
Ever want to make a quick fix in web authoring, only to realize that you need some of the additional features Tableau Desktop has in order to get it done? Well now, it’s as easy as a click of a button to open that workbook in Tableau Desktop.
No more downloading, going to your downloads folder, then opening the workbook.
Wrapping Up
Thanks for reading. Hopefully this post and video helped you understand the newer features in Tableau Online 2021.2. Feedback or questions? Post a comment or send me an email!
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