MySQL Database

This example discusses how to connect Tableau to a MySQL database.

1. Select Data > Connect to Data to open the Connect to Data page.
2. Select MySQL.
3. Follow the steps in the MySQL Connection dialog box to complete the connection.
   1. Step 1 – Type the name of the server that hosts the database.
   2. Step 2 – Enter your username and password to log on to the server.
   3. Step 3 – Test the connection.
      If the connection is successful, Tableau will alert you. If the connection is unsuccessful, verify that your user name and password are correct. If the connection continues to fail, your computer is having trouble locating the server. Contact your network administrator or database administrator.
   4. Step 4 – Select the database that you want to connect to.
   5. Step 5 – Select a table or view from the database.
      MySQL databases can contain multiple tables and views. Specify which table or view within the database you want to connect to. You can also connect to multiple tables or a specific query by selecting the Multiple Tables and Custom SQL options.
   6. Step 6 – Give the connection a name for use in Tableau.
      Specify a unique name for the connection. The default name is automatically generated based.

A completed Connection dialog box for MySQL is shown below.