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A Glimpse into the Future
Exploring the Authoring Extension API
Tristan Guillevin & Jessica Bautista
December 19, 2025
Hi everyone!
First, some good news: Tableau Desktop 2025.3.1 is now available and fixes the issue of Trusted Viz Extensions not loading.
We are now just waiting for them to load on Tableau Public without logging in. Hopefully, 2026 will start with everything related to extensions fully functional!
Last week, we ended the newsletter teasing the Authoring Extension API, so let’s talk about that!
Important disclaimer: the Authoring Extension API is still in pilot. There is no public beta and no guarantee of release, but real-world demos help shape its future.
The best way to discover what the API can do is to watch the recording of my session at DataFam Europe; the second part of the presentation focuses entirely on demonstrating the Authoring Extension API.
No time to watch? Here’s a recap!
Authoring Extension API
Let me start by saying this: the Authoring Extension API is honestly a game-changer.
This is far more than just dashboard extensions. Traditional dashboard extensions let you interact with data: apply filters, change parameters, etc. But they don’t let you touch the layout or structure of your dashboard.
Authoring extensions do.
This new API lets you programmatically edit your dashboards just like a user would with drag-and-drop and clicks, but automated.
You can create new worksheets, add or remove dashboard elements, rename fields, and even apply changes across an entire workbook in one click. Any actions in Tableau that require one (or often many) clicks can be automated.
Here are the first experimental tools we’ve built with it:
TabSync
Imagine Google Docs, but for Tableau workbooks. Multiple users can open the same workbook on separate Tableau Desktops, and actions are synced across both: drag a field, sort a chart, or create a calculated field; it all appears instantly on both sides. Perfect for teaching, pair-building, or even live debugging!
Desktop Wizard
A collection of mini tools for everyday cleanup tasks before publishing:Filter Manager
Bulk-edit all your filters with one click.
This is a tool we already have available and ready, but requires you to go through our website. Thanks to the new API, you can now edit all your filters directly inside Desktop!Workbook Summary
Receive alerts anytime you have a “Sheet X” or “Calculation X” in your workbook so you can quickly rename it to keep your workbook clean!Spell Check
Yes, a working spellchecker in Tableau Desktop that scans all text and lets you fix issues inline.
Auto Layout (from last Devs On Stage Labs)
Give the extension a few inputs (title, layout style, etc), and it generates a complete dashboard with navigation, filters, and formatting already in place. Great for templates, consistency, or kicking off projects faster.
And this is just the start.
Once (and if) the API is released (🤞 in 2026), there will be a whole new category of tools to help you build faster, cleaner, and better dashboards right from Tableau Desktop.
The future definitely looks good!
🎅🎄
This is the last newsletter of 2025.
We’ll start next year with our traditional Annual Review and Plan!
Have a great end of the year!