Error "Tableau Reader cannot open files referencing an external data source" Opening Packaged Workbook
Published: 18 Mar 2013 Last Modified Date: 09 May 2023
Issue
When you try to open a packaged workbook in Tableau Reader, the following error occurs:
Tableau Reader cannot open files referencing an external data source
Environment
Tableau Reader
Resolution
To resolve this issue, create an extract of the workbook's data source using Tableau Desktop.
Open the original workbook in Tableau Desktop.
Select the data source from the Data menu, and select Extract Data.
Click the Extract button.
Select File > Save As.
In the Save As dialog box, from the Save as type drop-down list, select Tableau Packaged Workbook (*.twbx).
Open the new packaged workbook from Tableau Reader
Cause
This issue typically occurs when packaged workbooks are saved with a live connection instead of an extract. Tableau Reader does not support non-file-based live connections to data sources.