Tableau Excel/PDF Export Extension

Export dashboard data to formatted Excel and PDF files with merged cells, conditional formatting, and multi-sheet support.

Download Extension File

Download the .trex manifest and load it in Tableau Desktop.

Download export_extension.trex
Extension URL: http://app.flow4bi.com/tabexport/export_extension.html
How It Works
Configure Sheets, Formulas & Macros View Merged Data Server-Side Processing Download .xlsx / .xlsm
1
Install Extension

In Tableau Desktop, drag an Extension object onto your dashboard. Click "Access Local Extension" and open the downloaded .trex file.

2
Configure

Right-click the extension → Configure. Select worksheets, add Excel formulas, upload a VBA macro template, and set formatting rules.

3
View Data

The extension displays data in a formatted table with visual cell merging, conditional formatting, and aggregation — directly inside the dashboard.

4
Export

Click Export Excel to generate a server-processed .xlsx or .xlsm with live formulas and macros. Or export to PDF directly.

Features
Excel Export PDF Export Cell Merging Formatting
  • Visual Merge: Repeated values in hierarchical columns are merged (like Region > Country > City).
  • Aggregation: GROUP BY columns with Sum, Average, Min, Max, Count.
  • Conditional Formatting: Native Excel CF rules — color scales, value-based highlighting.
  • Excel Formulas: Add computed columns with live formulas (e.g., =B{row}-C{row}) that calculate when opened in Excel.
  • VBA Macros: Upload a .xlsm template and the macro is injected into the export — runs on open for advanced formatting.
  • Multi-sheet: Each selected worksheet exports as a separate Excel tab or PDF page.
Configuration Options
  • Display Mode: None, Visual Merge, Aggregate, or Export Only.
  • Merge Hierarchy: Auto-detect or manually select merge columns with hierarchy order.
  • Number Format: Negative style, thousands separator, decimal places per column.
  • Column Settings: Reorder, rename, set merge aggregation per column.
  • Excel Formulas: Map formula columns — specify column letter, header name, and formula template.
  • VBA Macro: Select or upload a .xlsm macro template from the configuration panel.
  • Styling: Header colors, font, borders, button colors and text.
Excel Formulas & VBA Macros

Adding Formulas

In the Configure dialog under Excel Formulas & Macros, click + Add Formula Column to define computed columns:

Name: Profit     Formula: =B{row}-C{row}
Name: Margin %   Formula: =D{row}/B{row}*100

Write formulas exactly like Excel. Use {row} for the row number — it becomes 2, 3, 4... in the export. Formula columns are appended after your data columns automatically.

VBA Macro Templates

Upload a .xlsm file containing your VBA macros. The extension will inject the macro into the exported workbook:

  1. Create your formatting macro in Excel (record or write VBA)
  2. Save as .xlsm (macro-enabled workbook)
  3. Upload via Upload .xlsm in the Configure dialog
  4. Select the macro from the dropdown — it runs when the export is opened

Ideal for compliance reports, custom layouts, and formatting that goes beyond standard conditional formatting.

Extension Endpoints
RouteMethodDescription
/tabexport/export_extension.htmlGETMain extension page (loaded inside Tableau dashboards)
/tabexport/export_configure.htmlGETConfiguration dialog for dashboard owners
/tabexport/export_extension.trexGETDownloadable Tableau manifest file
/tabexport/healthGETHealth check (JSON status of extension files)
API Endpoints JWT Required
RouteMethodDescription
/tabexport/api/generate-excelPOSTGenerate Excel with formulas, conditional formatting, and optional VBA macro injection
/tabexport/api/macrosGETList available VBA macro templates for the authenticated user
/tabexport/api/macros/uploadPOSTUpload a new .xlsm macro template (max 5MB)