In Tableau, when user filter is used to implement security and the visualization is published on the Server, it displays “User Specific View” instead of the actual thumbnail for views. In this article, we will see a workaround for fixing User Specific View thumbnail in Tableau.

Problem with User Specific View Thumbnail

When a Tableau visualization is published to a Tableau server, it displays visualization as a thumbnail on the server. Depending on the viz, this thumbnail shows  a small chart or a table which gives a glimpse to the user about the viz.

When user filter is used in the report to implement low level security, the visualization on the server displays “User Specific View” instead of the actual thumbnail for views.

According to Tableau, this is by design. As per Tableau, this behaviour is intentional. The generic “User Specific View” is displayed when there are user filters in place, in order to prevent the possibility of users seeing information that should be filtered out.

It is important to repair this User Specific View thumbnail as it does not provide any information to the user about the viz. 

Fixing User Specific View Thumbnail

If the “User specific View” thumbnail does not look appropriate and feels like something is missing from the viz, the workaround which has worked for me consistently is the following,

When you publish the visualization from Tableau desktop, in the Publish Workbook screen, you will see an option for Generate thumbnail as user. In this edit box, search for the user who has some data in the visualization. When you publish your view in this manner, you will get a proper thumbnail. If the user you selected has no data to display, then the thumbnail will be displayed as User Specific View.

This workaround has worked for me every time.

If it works for you as well or create issues for you, please do let me know, so that we can discuss further.

Chandraish Sinha

Chandraish Sinha is the Founder and President of Ohio Computer Academy, a leading institution committed to delivering high-quality IT education. With a passion for teaching and a belief in his company’s mission—Inspire, Educate & Evolve—Chandraish brings over 25 years of experience in the Information Technology industry.

Explore more of his work on his Amazon Author Profile.