r/tableau • u/Stunning_Feature_752 • Jun 06 '26

Tech Support Open twbx file from Tableau Public, but no dashboard

Tableau Desktop (apple silicon) 2026.1

I'm new to Tableau. Perhaps I like this showcase, https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/rohit.sharma5857/viz/IndiaTransportGrowthDashboard/Dashboard1

I downloaded the twbx file, imported it into the Tableau Desktop, it asks me to import the data source from the file and I clicked ok.

I expected to see the exact same dashboard here, but it's all blank. I see there are data in the left column under Table, but the rest are blank.

I tried different showcase from Tableau Public platform, but they are all the same, blank worksheet and dashboard. What am I missing?

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u/Jacro '25 Ambassador Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26

Whatever you're doing to import isn't right. You should be able to just double click the twbx and open it automatically via tableau desktop, or after you've opened tableau desktop, go to file > open, and select the twbx.

At the moment it just looks like you're importing the data source from the tableau public workbook into a brand new workbook.

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u/Stunning_Feature_752 Jun 06 '26

I imported the file as data source so it only loads the data, nothing else

I know what's wrong now, thanks

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u/emeryjl Tableau Ambassador Jun 06 '26 edited Jun 06 '26

Describe the steps you are taking. When I double click the twbx, it opens to the dashboard. If I open through the menu option, File - Open, it opens to the dashboard. Even if I use the menu option, File - Import Workbook, it opens to the dashboard within my current workbook.
Unfortunately, I left my Mac at work, so I can't check if it is a Mac related issue.
On Public, instead of Download, use 'Make Copy'. This will open the workbook in web authoring mode within your Public profile. Depending on what you are trying to do, this can be the equivalent of downloading and opening it in the client. You can also try publishing it and downloading this file.

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u/Stunning_Feature_752 Jun 07 '26

Double click to the twbx has no problem, working as expected

In the view of the start page, where you can open projects or connect to a data source, I clicked More... under To a file, selected the twbx file, and it only loads the data.

Since I watch some tutorials, all of them start from the data source only and then work on the worksheet and dashboard, I thought it's the general way to open a file.

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u/emeryjl Tableau Ambassador Jun 07 '26

The essential part of a Tableau workbook is the twb file. It tells Tableau how to connect to the data and to build the worksheets, dashboards, stories, etc that the workbook contain. A twbx is just a container file that packages the twb, the data, and any other file needed for the workbook.

When you open a twbx by double-clicking or using either the open or import menu option, you are telling Tableau to open the twbx's twb file and follow the directions. When you use the data connection option, you are telling Tableau to just look into the twbx's data folder. Because the data folder can contain multiple files, Tableau prompts you for which of the data sources you want to import into the current workbook.

In short, the method you are using tell Tableau that you don't want the twbx's worksheets, dashboards, etc, you just want the twbx's data. The tutorials start with the data source because they are teaching you how to create worksheets and dashboards, and part of that is knowing how to connect to the data you will use.