# Live connections, extracts and published data sources

*Tableau Data Analyst Study Guide · Connect To and Transform Data · Last updated October 29, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-data-analyst/connect-to-and-transform-data/live-connections-extracts-and-published-data-sources*

Decide between a live connection and an extract (including Tableau Bridge and virtual connections on Tableau Cloud), configure and reopen .hyper extracts safely, connect to published data sources with the right permission, and replace a data source without losing your work.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Data Analyst
- Exam section: Connect To and Transform Data
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-data-analyst

**Official exam objective:**

> Connect to data sources: Identify data source; Determine live connection vs. extract; Connect to extracts; Connect to files; Connect to relational databases; Connect to published data sources from a Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud site; Replace the connected data source with another data source for an existing chart or sheet.

## What the exam expects

- Decide between a live connection and an extract from freshness, performance, functionality and whether Tableau Cloud can reach the data.
- Configure and connect to extracts: storage (Logical or Physical Tables), aggregation, hidden fields, and the safe way to reopen or relocate a .hyper file.
- Connect to published data sources on Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud, read why an entry is unavailable, and work on a local copy.
- Replace the data source for a whole workbook or one sheet, and predict what carries over.
- Connectors are taught in Connectors for files and relational databases; live versus extract basics in the Desktop Foundations unit Live connections and extracts.

Key terms:
- **Extract:** a subset of the data saved separately from the original, in .hyper format.
- **Tableau Bridge:** the client that connects Tableau Cloud to private network data, live or by extract refresh.
- **Virtual connection:** a shared central access point to data, optionally with data policies.
- **Published data source:** a data source on Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud that many workbooks share.
- **Replace Data Source:** a Desktop command that redirects a workbook's fields to another data source.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tableau Cloud and local data | Cannot reach it directly; use Tableau Bridge | [Best Practices for Published Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/publish_datasources_about.htm) |
| Default extract storage | Logical Tables | [Extract Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/extracting_data.htm) |
| Physical Tables | Disables extract filters, aggregation, Top N and sampling | [Extract Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/extracting_data.htm) |
| Hidden fields | Excluded from the extract | [Extract Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/extracting_data.htm) |
| Data source structure | Stored in the .tds, not the .hyper | [Extract Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/extracting_data.htm) |
| Gray entry in Search for Data | No Connect permission, or Catalog asset not yet ingested | [Connect to Data by Using Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_tableauserver.htm) |
| Embedded data source | Usable only inside its workbook; own refresh schedule | [Best Practices for Published Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/publish_datasources_about.htm) |
| Replace Data Source | Desktop only; at least one field in the view | [Replace Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/connect_basic_replace.htm) |
| Replace compatibility | Relational to relational, or cube to cube | [Replace Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/connect_basic_replace.htm) |

## Check yourself

- Why can't Tableau Bridge give a Tableau Cloud workbook a live connection to an Excel file on a file share?
- When does Tableau recommend Physical Tables storage for an extract?
- What does Deactivate the extract do when Tableau cannot find a saved extract?

## Sources

- [Extract Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/extracting_data.htm)
- [Best Practices for Published Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/publish_datasources_about.htm)
- [Replace Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/connect_basic_replace.htm)
- [Connect to Data by Using Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_tableauserver.htm)
- [Connectivity with Bridge](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_sync_local_data.htm)
- [Keep Data Fresh](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_keep_data_fresh.htm)
- [About Virtual Connections and Data Policies](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/dm_vconn_overview.htm)
- [Connect to Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/basicconnectoverview.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 11 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Data Analyst pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams