# Migration paths, identity stores and Content Migration Tool

*Tableau Architect Study Guide · Design a Tableau Infrastructure · Last updated November 13, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-architect/design-a-tableau-infrastructure/migration-paths-identity-stores-and-content-migration-tool*

Pick the right method for each migration path (Cloud and Server in either direction, Windows and Linux, identity-store changes, consolidation) and plan Content Migration Tool runs: site scope, permission mappings, project options and pre- and post-migration scripts.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Architect
- Exam section: Design a Tableau Infrastructure
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-architect

**Official exam objective:**

> 1.3 Plan a migration: 1.3.1 Plan a migration of Tableau Cloud to Tableau Server; 1.3.2 Plan a migration of Tableau Server to Tableau Cloud; 1.3.3 Plan a migration from Windows to Linux; 1.3.4 Plan a migration from Linux to Windows; 1.3.5 Plan a migration from one identity store to another; 1.3.6 Plan a consolidation of multiple Tableau servers or sites into fewer servers or sites; 1.3.7 Plan a migration from one Tableau Server environment to another; 1.3.8 Create scripts for migration; 1.3.9 Use the Tableau Content Migration Tool.

## What the exam expects

- Plan moves between Tableau Cloud and Tableau Server in both directions, including what the platform differences break.
- Plan Windows-to-Linux and Linux-to-Windows moves by backup and restore, with the acceptance tests the restore does not cover.
- Plan an identity-store change and tell it apart from the Identity Migration.
- Plan consolidations and Server-to-Server moves with the Content Migration Tool (CMT), including permission mappings and project options.
- Write pre- and post-migration scripts for a CMT plan.

Key terms:
- **Content Migration Tool (CMT)**: a Windows application, part of Advanced Management, that copies content between Tableau Server sites through a migration plan; between separate installations it needs user-based licensing.
- **Tableau Migration SDK**: a framework for custom-coded Server-to-Cloud migration applications.
- **Identity store**: where Tableau Server keeps users and groups, either local or external (Active Directory or LDAP).
- **Permission mapping**: a CMT rule that translates a source domain, user or group to its destination equivalent.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Server to Cloud tool | Migration SDK; CMT not recommended | [About CMT](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-intro.htm) |
| Cloud REST scope | Site-level administration; refactor tooling to PATs | [Server to Cloud considerations](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/migrate_server_to_cloud_overview.htm) |
| Cloud provider backups | Restore the whole system, not your files | [Server to Cloud considerations](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/migrate_server_to_cloud_overview.htm) |
| Cross-OS restore | Supported both ways with the same identity-store type | [Backup and Restore](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/db.htm) |
| What a restore leaves out | Customizations and additional nodes | [Windows to Linux](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/restore_from_backup_linux.htm) |
| Identity-store change | Reinstall; site export and import with user mapping | [Changing the Identity Store](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/reconfig_change_auth.htm) |
| Identity Migration | Fills Identity Service tables; does not change store type | [About the Identity Migration](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/identity_migration.htm) |
| CMT site scope | One source site per migration | [Migration Plans: Sites](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-plan_servers.htm) |
| Empty projects | Not migrated | [Migration Plans: Source Projects](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-plan_source_projects.htm) |
| Mapping order | First mapping that handles an identity wins | [Migration Plans: Permissions and Ownership](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-plan_users.htm) |
| Missing destination user | Migration stops; rerun the plan | [Migration Plans: Permissions and Ownership](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-plan_users.htm) |
| Custom script | Runs as a .cmd file | [Migration Plans: Migration Scripts](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-plan_scripts.htm) |

## Check yourself

- What does the account that signs in to CMT need on the source and on the destination?
- Why is the Migration SDK not an option for moving content between two Tableau Server deployments?
- When does a fresh installation with users republishing suit an identity-store change?
- Why should no users or content be created on the fresh target installation before restoring the backup?

## Sources

- [Technical Considerations for Migrating from Tableau Server to Tableau Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/migrate_server_to_cloud_overview.htm)
- [About Tableau Content Migration Tool](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-intro.htm)
- [Tableau Migration SDK Overview](https://help.tableau.com/current/api/migration_sdk/en-us/index.html)
- [Migrate Tableau Server from Windows to Linux](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/restore_from_backup_linux.htm)
- [Backup and Restore](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/db.htm)
- [Changing the Identity Store](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/reconfig_change_auth.htm)
- [About the Identity Migration](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/identity_migration.htm)
- [Migration Plans: Sites](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-plan_servers.htm)
- [Migration Plans: Source Projects](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-plan_source_projects.htm)
- [Migration Plans: Permissions and Ownership](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-plan_users.htm)
- [Migration Plans: Migration Scripts](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-plan_scripts.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 16 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Architect pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams