32-bit Upgrade Resources

Learn more about important changes to operating system requirements for Tableau Desktop, Tableau Reader, and Tableau Public.

Starting with Tableau version 10.5, new versions of Tableau will only run on 64-bit operating systems. Our upcoming summer release, Tableau 10.4, will be the last version of Tableau Desktop, Tableau Reader, and Tableau Public to support 32-bit Windows operating systems. By focusing on 64-bit operating systems, we can deliver new product innovation faster and create experiences that better leverage modern hardware.

This change does not impact users who access Tableau Server, Tableau Cloud, or Tableau Public via a browser; or Tableau Desktop, Tableau Reader, or Tableau Public for Mac.

We encourage impacted 32-bit users to upgrade to 64-bit operating systems to take advantage of future Tableau features and more powerful processing. If you are on a subscription plan or have a valid maintenance contract, you can upgrade to the current 64-bit version of Tableau Desktop at no additional charge.

For users staying on 32-bit operating systems, you can remain on Tableau version 10.4; we will continue to offer maintenance releases for our 32-bit products—which include bug fixes and security and driver updates—through our standard 30-month support period.

Please submit a support request if you have any questions or concerns.

Products Impacted

This change does not impact Tableau Desktop for Mac, or if you access Tableau Server, Tableau Cloud, or Tableau Public through a browser. See the below table for details on impacted products.

 
Through 10.4

10.5 and later
 
Windows 32-bit Desktop
Windows 64-bit Desktop
Mac
Any Browser

Versions

Find out if you have a 32-bit version installed

You can request a 32-bit organizational usage audit from Tableau by contacting our support team. We will provide a detailed report on impacted product keys.

If you are a Tableau Desktop user, learn how to identify which version of the product you are using.

Upgrade Recommendations

32-bit Tableau Desktop / Tableau Server

If you are able to upgrade Tableau Desktop users who publish, we recommend a hybrid environment:

  • Upgrade Tableau Server to use the latest version of Tableau.
  • Upgrade Desktop users who publish (workbooks or data sources) to a 64-bit operating system and use the latest version of Tableau.
  • Leave users accessing Tableau Server via a browser on your preferred operating system. Users will not encounter compatibility issues.
  • Leave non-publishing Desktop users on a 32-bit operating system and Tableau version 10.4. They will be able to work locally and use published data sources (even if Tableau Server is upgraded to later versions). If these users need features from 10.5 or later, or need to download workbooks from Tableau Server, they would need to upgrade to a 64-bit operating system and the latest version of Tableau Desktop.

  • Limitations on a hybrid approach of 32-bit Tableau Desktop 10.4 with Tableau Server 10.5:
     
    Through 10.4

    10.5 and later
     
    Publish workbooks and data sources
    Open downloaded workbooks
    Connect to published extracts
    Use standalone

    If upgrading to a 64-bit operating system isn't feasible:

  • We recommend keeping your entire Tableau deployment (Server and Desktop) at version 10.4. We will continue to support Tableau 10.4 through the beginning of 2020 with bug fixes and driver and security updates, per our standard support policy.
  • Should you want to upgrade to Tableau 10.5 or later to take advantage of the new features in the future, a 64-bit operating system upgrade will be required for Desktop users.
  • 32-bit Tableau Desktop only
    If you only use Tableau Desktop, you may continue using Tableau Desktop 10.4 on your 32-bit operating system. Should you want to upgrade to Tableau 10.5 or later to take advantage of the new Desktop features in the future, a 64-bit operating system upgrade will be required.
    32-bit Tableau Desktop / Tableau Cloud

    Tableau Cloud is always upgraded to the latest version.

  • While it is possible to publish workbooks from older versions of Tableau Desktop, we recommend that users who publish workbooks or data sources, upgrade to the latest version, since they will need the latest version of Tableau Desktop to open downloaded workbook.
  • Leave users accessing Tableau Cloud via a browser on your preferred operating system. Users will not encounter compatibility issues.
  • Leave non-publishing Desktop users on a 32-bit operating system and Tableau version 10.4. They will be able to work locally and use published data sources (even as Tableau Cloud is upgraded). If these users need features from 10.5 or later, or need to download workbooks from Tableau Cloud, they would need to upgrade to a 64-bit operating system and the recent version of Tableau Desktop.
  • 32-bit Tableau Reader

    If you have 32-bit Reader users, Desktop authors creating workbooks for their consumption will need to remain on the matching Tableau Desktop version.

  • When the Tableau Desktop authors upgrade to 10.5 or later, a 64-bit operating system would be required for both Desktop and Reader.
  • Alternatively, consider transitioning Reader users to Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud interactors to remove bit version restrictions.
  • 32-bit Tableau Public

    The Tableau Public platform is always upgraded to the latest version.

  • You can stay on the Tableau Public app with a 32-bit operating system and Tableau Public 10.4 and continue to publish.
  • To open downloaded workbooks, you will have to upgrade to a 64-bit operating system and the latest version of the Tableau Public app.
  • Alternatives

    Our web authoring capabilities keep getting better and better. Today, most authoring tasks can be accomplished through the web and we add more capabilities every quarter. If your organizations cannot upgrade to a 64-bit version of Tableau Desktop, consider moving to a browser based work flow.

    Additionally, you can deploy Tableau Desktop through an application virtualization platform. With application virtualization, Tableau Desktop is run through a centralized resource and deployed to end users through a browser or thin client which is compatible with 32-bit operating systems. Tableau Desktop supports the following application virtualization platforms:

    • Citrix environments (non-streaming)
    • Microsoft Hyper-V
    • Parallels
    • VMware
    • Microsoft Azure
    • Amazon EC2

    Have Questions? Contact Us

    Contact our support team if you have any questions or concerns.