Can Tableau Reader read workbooks that access their data via a link to a web-exposed server

Question

Can Tableau Reader read Tableau workbooks that use a connection to a web-exposed server to get data? I'm attempting to figure out if I can store data on a web-accessible database server, create workbooks for folks who use Desktop Professional with that data, and then transmit the workbooks to clients who use Tableau Reader. I realise that those customers will only be able to see the premade reports I've included in the workbooks, but will they be able to see the data on the server as well, or does Reader require the data to be included in the workbook?

Answer 1

Tableau Reader can only access worksheets that have been packaged by Tableau (.twbx files). The data must be in the form of a flat file (Excel, Access, CSV), a local cube, or a Tableau Data Extract file to be embedded in the worksheet. While other types of data sources can be saved in a.twbx file, Tableau Reader will not be able to open such a file.

The best method, as Inox indicated, is to extract the data and construct the bundled worksheet that way. If extracting the data isn't feasible, Tableau Server or Tableau Online will be required to distribute the workbooks.