Step by step process for embedding Tableau dashboards into your company intranet

So you’ve built some slick dashboards in Tableau, and now the higher-ups want them front and center on your company intranet. Great—except you’re not sure where to start. Or maybe you tried embedding before and ran smack into a wall of permissions, browser gripes, or IT headaches.

This guide is for the IT folks, admins, and “I guess I’m the Tableau person now” types who need a straight answer: How do you actually get a Tableau dashboard onto your intranet so people can use it—without a bunch of drama? Let’s get into it.

Step 1: Decide How You’ll Serve Tableau

Before you even touch the code, you need to know where your Tableau dashboards are living. There are three main setups:

  • Tableau Server (hosted on your company’s infrastructure)
  • Tableau Online (Tableau’s cloud service)
  • Tableau Public (free, but not private—don’t use this for sensitive data)

If you’re dealing with confidential or internal data, you want Tableau Server or Tableau Online. Tableau Public is a non-starter for most companies because anyone can see your data.

Pro tip: If you’re not sure which one you’re using, ask your Tableau admin or check the URL when you log in.

Step 2: Set Up Permissions and Access

This is the bit most people gloss over—and pay for later. Embedding won’t work unless your users can actually see the dashboard.

  • Who needs to see the dashboard?
    If it’s just for a handful of execs, you can get away with more restrictive settings. If it’s for the whole company, you’ll need to think about scalability.

  • Single Sign-On (SSO) matters.
    If your users already log into the intranet, you’ll want SSO with Tableau. Otherwise, people will get prompted to log in again—and they’ll complain.

  • Guest access:
    Tableau Server and Tableau Online both support a “guest” account, but it’s disabled by default (and for good reason). If you turn this on, anyone with the link can see the dashboard—not recommended unless you’re 100% sure there’s nothing sensitive.

What to ignore: Don’t waste time on public embedding options if your data isn’t meant for the public. It’s not worth the risk.

Step 3: Get the Embed Code from Tableau

Tableau makes this part pretty easy, but there are a few gotchas.

  1. Go to your dashboard in Tableau Server or Tableau Online.
  2. Click the “Share” or “Embed” icon (usually looks like a “< >” symbol).
  3. Copy the embed code—it’ll be a snippet of HTML, typically an <iframe>.

Example: html

  • Adjust the width and height as needed.
  • Some Tableau versions might give you a JavaScript-based embed code instead of an iframe. Both work, but iframe is simpler for most intranets.

Watch out for:
- HTTPS vs HTTP: Your intranet and Tableau need to use the same protocol (preferably HTTPS).
- Pop-up blockers: Some dashboard actions open new tabs or windows—test these in your intranet environment.

Step 4: Add the Embed Code to Your Intranet

How you do this will depend on what your intranet is built with:

SharePoint

  • Use a “Embed” web part (modern SharePoint) or a “Page Viewer” web part (classic).
  • Paste the iframe code.
  • Save and publish.

WordPress or Similar CMS

  • Switch the editor to HTML/source mode.
  • Paste the iframe code where you want the dashboard to show up.
  • Save the page.

Custom or Legacy Intranet

  • Ask your web admin where you can safely add HTML.
  • Place the embed code in the right spot.
  • Double-check permissions; some intranets strip out iframes for security.

If you see a blank frame or an error message:
- Double-check the Tableau permissions. - Make sure your browser isn’t blocking mixed content. - Try opening the Tableau dashboard URL directly—if you can’t, embedding won’t work either.

Step 5: Handle Authentication the Right Way

This is where most embedding projects hit a snag. By default, Tableau wants users to authenticate. Here’s how to make it smoother:

SSO Integration

  • Ideal: Your intranet and Tableau use the same identity provider (like Azure AD, Okta, or Active Directory).
  • If SSO is set up, folks logged into the intranet won’t get prompted again for Tableau—one less thing for them to complain about.

Trusted Authentication / SAML / OpenID Connect

  • These are fancy ways to let users bounce from your intranet to Tableau without extra logins.
  • Setting these up can be a pain, and you’ll need help from IT or whoever manages your company’s authentication.
  • Don’t try to roll your own security. Use what Tableau supports out of the box.

If SSO Isn’t an Option

  • Users will get a Tableau login screen in the iframe.
  • Save yourself the flood of “I can’t log in” tickets by making it clear what credentials to use—or better yet, push for SSO.

What about Guest Access?
Really not recommended unless your dashboard is truly non-sensitive. If you must, enable guest access in Tableau Server settings, but know the risks.

Step 6: Test Like a Real User

Before you call it done, try this:

  • Log in as a normal user (not an admin).
  • Go to the intranet page and check if the dashboard loads.
  • Click around—filters, exports, drilldowns. Make sure nothing breaks.
  • Try it in Chrome, Edge, and whatever other browsers your company uses.
  • Ask someone from another department to try it—they’ll spot issues you miss.

Common gotchas: - Dashboard loads, but some features don’t work (often a permissions issue). - It works for admins, but not for regular users. - Weird browser errors—try clearing cookies or using incognito mode.

Step 7: Maintain and Update

Embedding isn’t a “set it and forget it” deal. Dashboards change, URLs get updated, permissions shift. Here’s how to avoid future headaches:

  • Document what you did.
    Write down which dashboards are embedded, where, and who has access.

  • Review permissions quarterly.
    People leave, teams change, dashboards get stale. Don’t let old data hang around.

  • Check after Tableau upgrades.
    Sometimes embeds break after a big Tableau update.

  • Ask users for feedback.
    If folks stop using the dashboard, find out why. Maybe it’s slow, confusing, or no longer useful.

Honest Takes and Pro Tips

  • Performance:
    Embedding a heavy dashboard will slow down your intranet page. Simplify dashboards where you can—remove unnecessary filters, images, or huge datasets.

  • Mobile:
    Iframes don’t always resize nicely on mobile. Test this if people use your intranet on phones.

  • Security:
    Don’t cut corners with guest access or public links just to save time. It’ll bite you later.

  • Don’t overcomplicate:
    The more layers (custom auth, scripts, plugins), the more ways things can break.

Keep It Simple, Iterate Often

Embedding Tableau dashboards into your intranet isn’t rocket science, but it does take some planning. Get the basics right—permissions, authentication, and a clean embed—and you’ll avoid most headaches. Don’t try to make it perfect on day one. Start simple, get feedback, and improve as you go. That’s how you actually get people to use (and trust) your dashboards.