Modifying Tableau Server Authentication Method

Changing the Tableau Server authentication method requires that you backup the current data in Tableau Server, perform a clean install, and restore the existing data.

To change authentication methods:

Step 1

Log into the machine Tableau Server is currently installed on. You must log on with full administrative rights.

Step 2

If there is existing data, take a manual backup using the tabadmin backup {file name} command from the installation directory. Copy the resulting file to your desktop.

Step 3

In the Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs, locate the entry for Tableau Server. Click the Uninstall button, and follow the prompts

Step 4

When the uninstall is complete, open My Computer or Windows Explorer

Step 5

Manually delete the Tableau Server folder

• On 32-bit systems: C:\Program Files\Tableau\Tableau Server
• On 64-bit systems: C:\Program Files(x86)\Tableau\Tableau Server
• On Windows 2008 and Vista, check that the above listed path as been removed then manually delete the C:\ProgramData\Tableau – note that C:\ProgramData folder is hidden by default

Step 6

A clean install of Tableau Server can now be performed allowing you to set the authentication method

Step 7

Restore the backup without changing the configuration by using the tabadmin restore{file name} --no-config command from the installation directory.

Note: This will make all users unlicensed. The previous users will still own workbooks and projects and cannot be deleted until the ownership has changed or the item deleted.