The migration journey from Tableau Server to Tableau Cloud can be a daunting experience. Without a reliable process, the migration can be a time-consuming and error-prone endeavor, potentially leading to a multitude of issues. To help solve this challenge, Tableau offers a suite of tools designed to facilitate content movement, both between Server environments and Server to Cloud in the form of the Migration SDK, the Cloud Migration App, and the Content Migration Tool.
While they share the common goal of simplifying content transfer, they differ significantly in their design, target audience, capabilities, and intended use cases. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for selecting the right tool for your content migration and management.
Overview of Tableau Tooling
Here's a breakdown to help clarify which tool might be right for you when considering a move from Tableau Server to Tableau Cloud:
- Tableau Migration SDK: This is a Software Development Kit (SDK), a toolbox for developers to build their own custom migration applications. It is the recommended tool for the technical movement of users and content during a migration from Tableau Server to Tableau Cloud. The Migration SDK is an API-driven engine with a networking layer and uses hooks like Filters, Mappings, and Transformers. It is not a turnkey solution or a pre-built application and requires customization and development effort. It's designed for junior level developers and above who are familiar with Tableau and have experience in Python or .NET. It's intended for a one-time migration event from Server to Cloud, not recurring content promotion.
- Cloud Migration App: This is an open-source desktop application built on the Tableau Migration SDK. It is designed to allow administrators to copy content and users from Tableau Server to Tableau Cloud with ease, specifically simplifying the process for administrators with smaller deployments of around 100 workbooks. A major limitation of this app is that it only has basic features, like user mapping, but lacks functionality such as filtering, renaming, and authentication types.
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Tableau Content Migration Tool (CMT): This Windows-only desktop app with console runner provides a user interface and is designed for copying or migrating content between Tableau Server sites or between Tableau Cloud sites. It is explicitly not recommended for migrations when moving from Tableau Server to Tableau Cloud.
Comparison
Migration SDK |
Cloud Migration App |
Content Migration Tool (CMT) |
|
---|---|---|---|
Primary Use Case |
Recommended for all migrations from Tableau Server to Tableau Cloud. |
Built on the Migration SDK and simplifies Server to Cloud migration for smaller deployments (generally 100 workbooks or less) |
Server to Server, Cloud to Cloud, and other content management tasks. Not supported for Server to Cloud. |
Target Audience |
Developers experienced in Python or .NET. Also Professional Services and Partners. Not for business users. |
Administrators, users with less dev expertise |
Administrators, users with permissions |
Recommended Customer Setup |
Large/Enterprise (>100 users) |
Small/SMB (<100 workbooks) |
Variable given use case |
Nature of Tool |
Software Development Kit (SDK) - requires building a custom application. API-driven engine. |
Open-source application with a user interface (built on the SDK). |
User interface (UI) to create and run migration plans. Supports pre/post migration scripts. |
Technical Expertise Required |
High (coding) |
Low to Medium (application configuration) |
Medium (application configuration, scripting optional) |
Supported Content Types |
Users, Groups, Projects, Workbooks, Published Data Sources, Embedded Credentials, Custom Views, Subscriptions, Extract Refresh Tasks |
Same as Migration SDK |
Workbooks, Published Data Sources. Embedded credentials (with specific configuration, except OAuth). |
Unsupported Content Types |
Future Plans for: Favorites, Prep Flows, Virtual Connections, Group Sets, Collections, Subscriptions for Custom Views Other Content Types not listed here without Rest API exposure |
Same as Migration SDK |
Users, Groups, Site settings. Many content types including Ask Data Lenses, Collections, Custom views, Data-driven alerts, Extract refresh schedules (to Cloud), Favorites, Flows, Virtual connections, etc.. |
Choosing the Right Tool for the Job
The choice of migration tool depends heavily on the specific scenario, the size and complexity of the Tableau environment, the technical expertise available, and the specific content types that need to be migrated. In general, the scenarios below should help guide the right choice when deciding on what to use.
Server to Cloud Migration:
- Customers with small deployments (around 100 workbooks), limited development resources, and core content types (users, groups, projects, data sources, workbooks, permissions, custom views) may find the Cloud Migration App to be the most suitable, straightforward option.
- Customers with larger or more complex Server deployments, significant customization needs, specific content types not supported by the App (e.g. Prep Flows or Virtual Connections in the future), or who require integrating migration into existing workflows should consider using the Migration SDK and building a custom application. This is also the intended path for Professional Services and Migration Partners serving large customers.
- Using the Tableau Content Migration Tool for Server to Cloud migration is not recommended.
Server to Server or Cloud to Cloud Migration:
- The Tableau Content Migration Tool (CMT) is the primary and recommended tool for migrations and content management tasks between Tableau Server sites and between Tableau Cloud sites. Its broad capabilities for content promotion, environment migration, site consolidation, and maintenance make it well-suited for these scenarios.
- The Migration SDK is also able to support Cloud to Cloud migrations with code customization and limitations with embedded credentials and subscriptions, with plans to expand on this functionality in the future.
- The Cloud Migration App is not able to support either Server to Server or Cloud to Cloud migrations.
Ultimately, the three tools provided by Tableau to help with content management and migration are distinct offerings with different use cases and supported scenarios. In general, the rule of thumb is that all Server to Cloud migrations should be done with the Migration SDK or the Migration App, while content migration across Server to Server or Cloud to Cloud should be done with the Content Migration Tool. At the end of the day, organizations should carefully evaluate their specific requirements, technical resources, and migration path to determine the most appropriate tool for their specific needs.
Learn more about best practices for migrating to Tableau Cloud from Tableau Server with the Trailhead Badge for Cloud Migration.