> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.infotopics.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.infotopics.com/deployment-and-licensing/tableau-platform-support/tableau-desktop-support.md). # Tableau Desktop support Dashboard extensions are web applications that run inside Tableau dashboards. They extend Tableau by interacting with dashboard data using the Tableau Extensions API. On Tableau Desktop, extensions are primarily used by **Creators** to build and configure dashboards before publishing them to Tableau Server or Tableau Cloud. *** ### Using a dashboard extension You can use a dashboard extension in the same way you use other dashboard objects. Dashboard extensions: * Run inside a dashboard zone * Interact with worksheets and dashboard data * Can respond to user interactions such as filters and selections Extensions can be created by third parties or developed internally using the Tableau Extensions API. *** ### Where to find dashboard extensions To add an extension, you need a **dashboard extension manifest file (`.trex`)**. The `.trex` file: * Is an XML file * Describes the extension * Defines the URL where the extension is hosted * Specifies permissions and metadata Infotopics extensions are distributed as `.trex` files that reference secure, hosted services. For links and information about dashboard extensions you can download and use, see the [test scenarios for Dashboard Extensions](https://prerelease.tableau.com/project/article/default.html?cap=c43269484c1f45a68f5ad4fc4660b2ab\&arttypeid=%7B741C8E27-001E-49D8-A4D3-194D4144B8B0%7D), which are available from the [Tableau 2018.2 Beta release site](https://prerelease.tableau.com/project/home.html?cap=c43269484c1f45a68f5ad4fc4660b2ab). For information about creating your own dashboard extensions, see the [Tableau Extensions API documentation](https://tableau.github.io/extensions-api/) for developers on [GitHub](https://github.com/tableau/extensions-api). --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.infotopics.com/deployment-and-licensing/tableau-platform-support/tableau-desktop-support.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.