Full access to views, workbooks, data sources, and Tableau Pulse metrics so you can retrieve visualizations, export data, and generate AI-powered insights from a single node.
How to Use MCP Nodes
What is Tableau MCP?
Tableau MCP creates an AI-powered node that understands the Tableau REST API for you. Instead of navigating complex endpoints or writing code, simply describe what you want and the node handles the rest. Results come back as structured data that you can pass to other nodes in your workflow.What Can It Do for You?
- List and search workbooks, views, and data sources across your Tableau site
- Export view data as CSV or capture dashboard images as PNG
- Access Tableau Pulse metrics and generate AI-powered insight bundles
- Power repeatable workflows by returning structured data that connects to Sheets, Slack, and more
Available Tools
| Tool | What It Does | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
| List Views | List all views on a Tableau site with optional filtering | ”List views in project ‘Finance’ and return id, name, workbook” |
| Get View Data | Retrieves view data in CSV format | ”Get data from view view_id and return as CSV” |
| Get View Image | Retrieves view image as PNG | ”Get image of view view_id at 1200x800 pixels” |
| List Workbooks | List all workbooks on a Tableau site with optional filtering | ”List workbooks owned by ‘john.doe’ and return id, name, project” |
| Get Workbook | Retrieves workbook details including contained views | ”Get workbook workbook_id and return name, views, owner” |
| List Datasources | List all published data sources on a Tableau site | ”List datasources in project ‘Sales’ and return id, name, type” |
| Search Content | Search across all content types (workbooks, views, datasources, etc.) | ”Search for ‘revenue’ across all content types and return matching items” |
| List All Pulse Metric Definitions | List all Pulse Metric Definitions on the site | ”List all Pulse metric definitions and return id, name, datasource” |
| List Pulse Metrics From Definition Id | List Pulse Metrics for a specific definition | ”Get metrics for definition definition_id and return id, specification” |
| List Pulse Metrics From Metric Ids | Get Pulse Metrics by their IDs | ”Get metrics with ids metric_id_1, metric_id_2 and return details” |
| List Pulse Metric Subscriptions | List Pulse Metric Subscriptions for current user | ”List my Pulse metric subscriptions and return metric_id, subscription_id” |
| Generate Pulse Insight Bundle | Generate AI insights bundle for a Pulse Metric | ”Generate insights for metric metric_id with bundle type ‘detail‘“ |
How to Use
1
Create Your Tableau MCP Node
Go to your node library, search for Tableau, and click “Create a node with AI”
2
Add Your Prompt
Drag the Tableau MCP node to your canvas and describe the single action you want to perform.
3
Test Your Node
Run the node to see the results. If it works as expected, you’re all set. If you run into issues, check the troubleshooting tips below.
4
Save and Reuse
Once your Tableau MCP node is working, save it to your library for future workflows.
Setting Up Tableau Credentials
Before using the Tableau MCP node, you need to configure your Tableau credentials in Gumloop. Tableau uses Personal Access Tokens (PAT) for authentication.1
Generate a Personal Access Token in Tableau
- Log in to your Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud account
- Click on your profile icon and select My Account Settings
- Scroll down to the Personal Access Tokens section
- Click Create new token
- Enter a Token Name (e.g., “Gumloop Integration”)
- Click Create
- Important: Copy and save both the Token Name and Token Secret immediately. The secret will only be shown once.
2
Gather Your Tableau Server Information
You will need the following information:
- Server URL: Your Tableau Server URL (e.g.,
https://10ax.online.tableau.comfor Tableau Cloud, or your on-premise server URL) - Site Name: The content URL of your site (found in your Tableau URL after
/site/). For the default site, this may be empty.
3
Add Credentials in Gumloop
- Go to Gumloop Credentials Settings
- Click Add Credential
- Select Tableau from the list
- Enter the following fields:
- Server URL: Your Tableau Server URL
- Site Name: Your site’s content URL
- Personal Access Token Name: The token name you created
- Personal Access Token Value: The token secret you copied
- Click Save
4
Verify Your Connection
Create a simple Tableau MCP node with a prompt like “List workbooks and return the first 5” to verify your credentials are working correctly.
Example Prompts
Here are some prompts that work well with Tableau MCP: List Workbooks:Troubleshooting
If your Tableau MCP node isn’t working as expected, try these best practices:Keep Prompts Simple and Specific
- Good: “List workbooks in project ‘Finance’ and return id, name”
- Less Efficient: “List all workbooks, filter by project, get their views, export each view as CSV, and combine into a report”
Match What Tableau Can Do
- Good: “Get data from view
view_idand return as CSV” - Less Efficient: “Get view data, analyze trends, and create a PowerPoint presentation”
Break Complex Tasks Into Steps
For best results and to avoid timeouts or errors, break large tasks into smaller prompts. Instead of:1
Step 1: List Workbooks
List workbooks and return id, name
2
Step 2: Get Workbook Views
Get workbook
workbook_id and return views3
Step 3: Export View Data
Get data from view
view_id and return as CSVConnect these nodes sequentially in your workflow. The workbook IDs from Step 1 feed into Step 2, and the view IDs from Step 2 feed into Step 3.
Focus on Data Retrieval
Tableau MCP is great at getting information from Tableau. For analysis or content creation, connect it to other nodes. Example:- Good prompt: “Get data from view
view_idand return as CSV” - Less Efficient: “Get view data, calculate year-over-year growth, and draft an executive summary”
Troubleshooting Node Creation
Empty Outputs
Empty Outputs
In the node creation window, click “Request changes” and ask the AI to add debug logs and verify the API response.
Incorrect Results
Incorrect Results
In the node creation window, click “Request changes” and describe what you expected versus what you received.
Authentication Errors
Authentication Errors
Verify your Personal Access Token is still valid in your Tableau account settings. Tokens can expire or be revoked. Create a new token if needed.
Errors
Errors
First click “Fix with Gummie”. If multiple attempts fail, simplify your prompt or contact support.
Need More Help?
- Watch What are MCP Nodes video tutorial
- Check out MCP Best Practices in Gumloop University
- Join the Gumloop Community for support
- View the Tableau MCP setup guide for Claude and Cursor
- Contact support at [email protected]