Tableau-Desktop-Found Connecting to and Preparing Data Practice Question
Which file type should you use if you want to save a Tableau data source that includes the connection information and the underlying data in a single compressed file?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse '.tds' with '.tdsx'. They forget that a standard '.tds' file contains only the connection information, not the actual data, making it non-portable for others.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
.tdsx
A Tableau Packaged Data Source (.tdsx) encapsulates the data connection parameters along with the actual data file itself. This is highly beneficial for portability, as it allows users to share a complete, self-contained dataset with colleagues who may not have access to the original underlying database or local file, ensuring the workbook remains fully functional without broken connections.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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.tds
Why it's wrong here
A .tds file only saves the connection information and metadata, such as calculated fields and hierarchies. It does not contain the actual data, meaning that if you share this file, the recipient must have access to the original data source to open the workbook successfully.
- ✓
.tdsx
Why this is correct
The .tdsx file is a packaged data source that includes both the connection metadata and the physical data extract. It is the most robust format for sharing data sources because it ensures that the recipient has everything they need to interact with the data immediately upon opening.
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.twb
Why it's wrong here
A .twb file is a Tableau Workbook that contains only the instructions and XML definitions for the visualizations and data connections. It does not contain the data itself and is therefore not the correct format for sharing a portable data source containing underlying information.
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.tde
Why it's wrong here
A .tde file is an older Tableau Data Extract format, now largely replaced by .hyper. While it contains the data, it does not store the connection metadata or the structural definitions required to serve as a complete data source configuration file for Tableau Desktop projects.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Tableau (Salesforce) exam blueprint
This Tableau-Desktop-Found practice question is part of Courseiva's free Tableau (Salesforce) certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the Tableau-Desktop-Found exam.