One of the infuriating behaviors I encountered early on with Tableau was when I was working with an extracted data source in Desktop. I would be creating worksheets, calculated fields, and dashboards, and then I needed to check something in the data source.
So I went to the Data Source page, dug into the structure, found what I wanted – but I didn’t change anything. However, when I wanted to return to my worksheet, Tableau decided that something had changed, and started the dreaded extract refresh…
What do you do in this situation? Wait 10 minutes for it to finish? Cancel and remain stuck in Live mode?
There’s a solution:
Cancel.
If the worksheet starts processing in live mode, Cancel again.
Now go to the data source’s right-click menu, and check the “Use Extract” option. Your extract still exists, so you are returned instantaneously to extract mode as if nothing has happened. Problem solved.
I’ve seen this happen literally hundreds of times, especially while working with others, and most developers think they have no option except wait for the extract to finish. So I hope this small tip helps someone…
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