How to Export Image from Tableau Public

Building a beautiful, insightful visualization in Tableau Public is a great feeling, but your work isn't done until you can share it effectively. Often, that means you need a high-quality, static image of your dashboard or worksheet for a presentation, report, or blog post. This guide will walk you through several methods for exporting images from Tableau, from the quick and easy built-in options to more advanced techniques for achieving the highest possible resolution.

Understanding Your Export Options in Tableau

Tableau offers a few different ways to get a static version of your work, and each serves a slightly different purpose. The most common formats are Image (PNG, JPEG), PDF, and PowerPoint. Knowing which one to choose is the first step toward getting the perfect export.

• Image Files (PNG, JPEG, BMP): This is the most direct method. PNG is usually the best choice as it supports transparent backgrounds and generally offers higher quality (lossless compression). JPEG is great when file size is a concern, but it uses lossy compression, which can sometimes result in a slight quality reduction.
• PDF (Portable Document Format): Exporting as a PDF is ideal when you need a vector-based version of your visualization. Vector graphics can be scaled to any size without losing quality, making them perfect for high-quality printing or for embedding in documents where they might be resized.
• PowerPoint (PPTX): This option is a convenient shortcut for getting your viz into a presentation. It embeds a static, high-quality image of your dashboard or worksheet directly onto a new PowerPoint slide.

Let's break down how to use each of these methods, step-by-step.

Method 1: The Direct Approach - Export as an Image

For most day-to-day needs, exporting directly to an image file is the fastest way to go. This method works for single worksheets and entire dashboards.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Navigate to the Correct Menu: With the worksheet or dashboard you want to export open, go to the top menu bar in the Tableau Desktop application.
2. Configure the Export Image Options: A dialog box will appear with several options that let you customize what your final image includes.
3. Save Your Image: Click the "Save" button. This will open a standard "Save As" window where you can name your file, choose a location, and select the file type (PNG, BMP, or JPEG) from the dropdown menu.

Pro-Tips for Direct Image Export:

• Choose PNG for Quality: Unless you need a very small file size, PNG is almost always the best choice. It preserves crisp lines and text and supports transparent backgrounds if your viz has one.
• Clean Your View First: Before exporting, hide any unnecessary cards, filters, or shelves. The exported image will look exactly like what you see on your screen, so a tidy workspace leads to a clean output.

Method 2: For Maximum Quality - Print to PDF

When you need unimpeachable quality, especially for printing, the PDF export is your best friend. Because PDFs handle vector graphics, your charts and text will remain perfectly sharp no matter how much you zoom in or scale the image.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Print to PDF Menu: In the top menu, navigate to File > Print to PDF.... This might sound like you’re about to print a physical copy, but it’s Tableau’s dedicated function for creating high-quality PDF files.
2. Configure Your PDF Settings: The "Print to PDF" dialog box gives you precise control over your document's output.
3. Save the PDF: Click "OK," and you'll be prompted to choose a location and file name for your new PDF document.

Advanced Tip: Convert PDF to a High-Resolution PNG

Here's a POWERFUL workaround for when the direct "Export as Image" option doesn't give you high enough resolution. First, export your dashboard as a PDF using the steps above. Then, open that PDF in a graphic design tool like Adobe Acrobat Pro, Adobe Illustrator, or a free online converter. From there, you can export the PDF as a high-resolution PNG or TIFF file (e.g., at 300 DPI), giving you a pixel-perfect image suitable for any use case.

Method 3: For Quick Slides - Export as PowerPoint

If your ultimate destination is a slideshow, Tableau has a built-in shortcut to save you time. This method exports a static image of your dashboard and places it directly onto a slide in a new .pptx file.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Select the PowerPoint Export Option: Again, navigate to the top menu and select File > Export as PowerPoint....
2. Configure Your Slides: A simple dialog box will appear.
3. Save the Presentation: Click "Save," choose a file name and location, and Tableau will generate a .pptx file with your visualization ready to go.

Keep in mind that the image inserted into PowerPoint is static. It will not be an interactive Tableau dashboard within your presentation. However, it's a huge time-saver and maintains excellent quality for on-screen presentations.

Best Practices for a Perfect Export

The tool can only do so much. A great export starts with a well-prepared dashboard. Here are a few final tips to ensure your images look professional every time.

Tip 1: Set Your Dashboard Dimensions First

The resolution of your exported image is directly tied to the dimensions of your dashboard in Tableau. If you need a high-resolution image, you need a large dashboard. Before exporting, go to the Dashboard pane on the left side of your screen. Under "Size," you can change the dimensions from a fixed preset (like "Desktop Browser") to a "Range" or "Exactly" to set a large pixel width and height. For example, if you need an image that's 2000 pixels wide, set your dashboard width to 2000px before you export. The exported image will then match these dimensions.

Tip 2: Use the Download Button on Tableau Public

If your work is already published to your Tableau Public profile, you (and your viewers) can download it directly from the web. Simply navigate to your viz's page and look for the "Download" icon in the bottom-right menu. Clicking it will reveal all the available formats: Image, Data, Crosstab, PDF, PowerPoint, and even the Tableau Workbook itself. This is an excellent way to grab an image without having to open the Tableau Desktop application.

What About Simply Taking a Screenshot?

It can be tempting to just use your computer’s built-in screenshot tool, but this is almost always the worst option. Here’s why:

• Lower Resolution: Your screenshot's resolution is limited by your monitor's resolution, which is often much lower than what Tableau can generate via its export functions.
• Unwanted Elements: You're likely to capture other screen elements like your browser tabs, toolbar, or mouse cursor, which looks unprofessional.
• Inconsistent Sizing: It’s hard to get a perfectly cropped, consistently sized screenshot every time.

Using Tableau’s built-in export features provides a cleaner, more reliable, and higher-quality result.

Final Thoughts

Getting a high-quality static image out of Tableau Public is straightforward once you know your options. Use the direct "Export Image" for quick PNGs, rely on "Print to PDF" for vector-quality outputs perfect for printing, and leverage the PowerPoint export to speed up your presentation workflow. Getting professional results comes down to choosing the right method and setting up your dashboard correctly beforehand.

While mastering export settings helps you share your insights, the entire process of building, tweaking, and sharing reports can take up valuable time better spent on strategy. We built Graphed to eliminate that friction. Instead of manually building visuals in a complex tool, you can simply ask questions in natural language, and we will create live dashboards connected directly to your marketing and sales data sources. This means no more exporting static images for your weekly reports, everyone can see real-time data whenever they need it.