When you save work in Tableau, the file extension tells you what the file contains. Some files save your worksheets and dashboards. Others save a data connection, package supporting data, or store an extract.
Understanding these differences helps you choose the right format when saving or sharing your work. If you are new to Tableau, you may also want to read our introduction toIn the last blog, we discussed different types of Tableau Components.
Tableau File Types
Extension | File type | What it saves | Common use |
.twb | Tableau Workbook | Worksheets, dashboards, stories, and data connection information | Continue working on a workbook when the data source remains accessible |
.twbx | Packaged Workbook | A workbook with supporting local files, such as data and background images | Share a workbook with someone who cannot access your local files |
.tds | Tableau Data Source | Connection information and data source settings, but not the underlying data | Reuse a configured data source |
.tdsx | Packaged Data Source | A data source file together with supporting local data | Share a reusable data source and its local files |
.hyper | Tableau Extract | A local copy of all or part of a dataset | Work with an extract instead of a live connection |
.tbm | Tableau Bookmark | A single worksheet | Reuse a worksheet in another workbook |
Workbook files: TWB and TWBX
A Tableau Workbook (.twb) saves your analysis, including worksheets, dashboards, stories, and information about data connections. It does not contain the underlying data. If you send a .twb file to someone else, they must also be able to access the data source used by the workbook.
A Packaged Workbook (.twbx) combines the workbook with supporting local files in one package. This is useful when you need to share a workbook that relies on a local Excel file, a Tableau extract, or background images. Packaging a workbook does not automatically grant someone access to a separate database or cloud service; those connections may still require credentials. Tableau
Example: If your dashboard uses an Excel file saved on your computer, a .twbx is generally more convenient to share than a .twb.
Data source files: TDS and TDSX
A Tableau Data Source (.tds) saves information needed to connect to data, along with changes you have made to the data source. These can include calculated fields, groups, and default field properties. The .tds file does not contain the underlying data, so Tableau still needs access to it.
A Packaged Data Source (.tdsx) includes the .tds information and supporting local data. Depending on the data source, that might be an Excel file, a text file, or a .hyper extract. It is useful when you want to share a prepared data source without sharing an entire workbook. Tableau
Tableau extracts: HYPER
A Tableau Extract (.hyper) stores a local copy of an entire dataset or a subset of it. Extracts can help when you need to work offline, share data, or improve performance in an appropriate use case. A .hyper file stores data; it does not save your worksheets or dashboards. Tableau
You may see .tde in older Tableau tutorials. It was the previous extract format and was replaced by .hyper. Tableau Desktop versions 2024.3 and later do not support .tde based workbooks, data sources, or bookmarks. Tableau
Tableau bookmarks: TBM
A Tableau Bookmark (.tbm) saves a single worksheet. You can use a bookmark when you want to reuse a worksheet in another workbook without bringing over the entire original workbook. Tableau
Which file type should you choose?
If you want to save your workbook, use .twb. If you need to share it with its supporting local files, use .twbx.
If you want to save a reusable data source, use .tds. Choose .tdsx when the supporting local data needs to travel with it.
If you need a data extract, use .hyper. If you want to reuse just one worksheet, save it as a .tbm bookmark.
The easiest distinction to remember is this: TWB and TDS refer to data elsewhere; TWBX and TDSX can package supporting local data with your work.
Learn Tableau with guided practice
Want to go beyond file types and build your own worksheets and dashboards? Explore Ohio Computer Academy’s instructor-led Tableau training, available live online or in person in Dublin, Ohio.
Learn more about visit LearnTableauPublic.com
Chandraish Sinha is the Founder and President of Ohio Computer Academy, a leading institution committed to delivering high-quality IT education. With a passion for teaching and a belief in his company’s mission—Inspire, Educate & Evolve—Chandraish brings over 25 years of experience in the Information Technology industry.
Explore more of his work on his Amazon Author Profile.
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