Analytics and Tableau

In this article

Tableau Connecting Directly to Azure SQL Server Data Warehouse

Tableau Connecting Directly to the Power BI Semantic Model

See also

This guide provides an overview of two common architectures for integrating Tableau with LS Central data, as depicted in the Analytics for LS Central and Tableau connection diagram. LS Central, a unified commerce solution, generates valuable business data that organizations often analyze using advanced BI tools. Tableau, known for its flexible and powerful visualization capabilities, can connect to LS Central data through different enterprise data platforms.

This guide explains two recommended approaches:

  1. Connecting Tableau directly to an Azure SQL Server Data Warehouse, where LS Central data is stored and modeled for analytics.
  2. Connecting Tableau to the Power BI semantic model, leveraging a curated business layer for governed, consistent reporting. 

Each section outlines the architecture, steps, and best practices to help data analysts and BI professionals choose and implement the approach that best fits their organization’s needs.

Note: The image below shows, Analytics for LS Central and Tableau connection diagram.

Tableau Connecting Directly to Azure SQL Server Data Warehouse

In this architecture, Tableau connects directly to the Azure SQL Server Data Warehouse where LS Central data is stored. This approach is often used when you want Tableau to leverage raw or transformed data for flexible, high-performance analytics.

Steps:

1. Data Integration:

  • LS Central transactional data is extracted and loaded into Azure SQL Server Data Warehouse, using ETL tools or Azure Data Factory.

2. Data Modeling:

  • In the Data Warehouse, data is structured into fact and dimension tables optimized for reporting and analytics.

3. Tableau Connection:

  • Tableau Desktop or Tableau Server connects directly to the Azure SQL Server Data Warehouse using the native SQL Server connector.
  • Users authenticate with their credentials and select the relevant database and tables.

4. Report Building:

  • Analysts build dashboards and reports in Tableau, leveraging the full power of SQL for custom queries, calculated fields, and aggregations.

5. Security & Governance:

  • Access is managed via SQL Server roles and permissions.
  • Data refreshes are scheduled in Tableau to ensure up-to-date reporting.

When to Use:

  • When you need maximum flexibility and direct access to detailed data.

  • When your organization already has robust data warehouse governance and security in place.

Tableau Connecting Directly to the Power BI Semantic Model

Here, Tableau connects to the Power BI semantic model (also known as a dataset or Analysis Services model), which sits on top of LS Central data. This model provides a curated, business-friendly layer with pre-defined measures, hierarchies, and security.

Steps:

1. Data Integration:

  • LS Central data is loaded into Power BI (or Azure Analysis Services), where a semantic model is built.
  • The model includes business logic, KPIs, and row-level security. 

2. Publishing the Model:

  • The semantic model is published to Power BI Service or Azure Analysis Services. 

3. Tableau Connection:

  • Tableau connects to the Power BI semantic model using the XMLA endpoint (for Premium/Analysis Services models) or via OLE DB/ODBC connectors.
  • Users authenticate and select the desired dataset.

 

To get the necessary info to connect:

  1. Open Power BI service and select the workspace where the semantic model that you would like to use is at.

  1. Go to Workspace settings -> License Info.
  1. Copy the Connection link.

Note: Semantic Power BI Model selection at Tableau is in the above image.

4. Report Building:

  • Tableau users can build reports using the curated measures and dimensions from the semantic model.
  • The model enforces business logic and security, ensuring consistency across tools.

5. Security & Governance:

  • Access is managed in Power BI/Analysis Services, with row-level security and user roles.
  • Data refreshes are managed in Power BI, and Tableau always queries the latest published data. 

When to Use:

  • When you want to take advantage of already curated Analytics for LS Central Power BI semantic models and measures and re-use them.
  • When you want to ensure consistent business logic and metrics across Power BI and Tableau.
  • When you need to enforce centralized security and governance.

Download the Tableau template file below as a sample for the connection between Tableau and the Power BI Sales Analytics Semantic model:

Sales Analytics for LS Central - Semantic Model connection

See also

You can find below a sample Sales Analytics for LS Central dashboard and report pages available at Tableau Public:

Sales Analytics for LS Central at Tableau Public