# Tableau Cloud versus Server and migration paths

*Tableau Consultant Study Guide · Evaluate Current State · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-consultant/evaluate-current-state/tableau-cloud-versus-server-and-migration-paths*

Decide between customer-managed Tableau Server and Tableau-hosted Tableau Cloud from compliance, connectivity, authentication and observability needs, then pick the migration route: backup and restore to a public cloud, the Manual Migration Guide, the Migration SDK, or Professional Services and partners.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Consultant
- Exam section: Evaluate Current State
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Recommend whether to use Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud, including migration.

## What the exam expects

- Recommend Tableau Cloud or Tableau Server from hosting, compliance, connectivity, authentication, observability and customization needs.
- Identify which Server dependencies must be redesigned before a move to Tableau Cloud.
- Replace on-premises Active Directory, Kerberos or LDAP with a cloud identity approach.
- Choose the migration route from deployment size, complexity and in-house skills, and plan pre-migration cleanup.
- Tell moving Tableau Server to a public cloud apart from moving to Tableau Cloud.

Key terms:
- **Tableau Cloud:** the fully hosted SaaS platform that Tableau manages and upgrades.
- **IaaS (public cloud) Server:** Tableau Server installed on virtual machines at a cloud provider, still customer-managed.
- **Admin Insights:** the Tableau Cloud project of curated observability data sources and dashboards.
- **Tableau Migration SDK:** a Python or .NET framework for coding a Server-to-Cloud migration.
- **Manual Migration Guide:** the step-by-step self-migration guide for deployments with fewer than 100 users.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud upgrades | Always the latest version; major upgrades with zero downtime | [Migrating to Tableau Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/migrate_server_to_cloud_overview.htm) |
| Tableau's daily Cloud backups | For whole-system disaster recovery only | [Migrating to Tableau Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/migrate_server_to_cloud_overview.htm) |
| Unsupported compliance on Cloud | FedRAMP and PCI | [Move Tableau to the Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/blueprint/en-us/bp_move_to_cloud.htm) |
| MFA on Cloud | Required for all users | [Migrating to Tableau Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/migrate_server_to_cloud_overview.htm) |
| Long Bridge refreshes | Publish embedded extracts over 10 minutes as separate data sources | [Migrating to Tableau Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/migrate_server_to_cloud_overview.htm) |
| Direct file upload limit | 1 GB (.xlsx, .csv, .tsv) | [Plan Your Migration](https://help.tableau.com/current/guides/migration/en-us/cloud_migration_part1.htm) |
| Manual Migration Guide scope | Fewer than 100 users; usually under two weeks | [Migration SDK Overview](https://help.tableau.com/current/api/migration_sdk/en-us/index.html) |
| Migration SDK languages | Python or .NET | [Migration SDK Overview](https://help.tableau.com/current/api/migration_sdk/en-us/index.html) |
| Content Migration Tool for Server to Cloud | Not recommended; use the Migration SDK | [Content Migration Tool](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-intro.htm) |
| Server on a public cloud | No licensing implications; same license keys | [Move Tableau to the Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/blueprint/en-us/bp_move_to_cloud.htm) |

## Check yourself

- What is the largest Excel or text file you can upload directly to Tableau Cloud?
- Why should a workbook's embedded extract that takes over 10 minutes to refresh be published as its own data source before moving?
- Why does API automation usually need rework in a Cloud migration?
- When should a migration rely on something other than the Migration SDK even with developers on staff?

## Sources

- [Tableau Cloud System Maintenance](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_maintenance_schedule.htm)
- [Tableau Cloud Release Notes](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/whatsnew_online.htm)
- [Technical Considerations for Migrating from Tableau Server to Tableau Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/migrate_server_to_cloud_overview.htm)
- [Move Tableau to the Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/blueprint/en-us/bp_move_to_cloud.htm)
- [Plan Your Migration](https://help.tableau.com/current/guides/migration/en-us/cloud_migration_part1.htm)
- [Tableau Migration SDK Overview](https://help.tableau.com/current/api/migration_sdk/en-us/index.html)
- [About Tableau Content Migration Tool](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/cmt-intro.htm)
- [Get to know Tableau](https://www.tableau.com/products/tableau)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 10 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams