> 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/trulyp/data/semantic-providers.md).
# Semantic providers
Already have a semantic layer in Tableau? With a semantic provider, Trulyp connects to Tableau's VizQL Data Service (VDS), so you can import Tableau published data sources as [semantic models](/trulyp/data/semantic-modeling.md), with their fields and calculations exactly as they are in Tableau.
You manage semantic providers in **Data** › **Semantic providers**. You need the **Connections manager** role, or be an administrator.
The list shows each provider's **Label**, its **Provider** (VDS) and the number of teams (**# Groups**) that can use it. Use the pencil to edit a provider, or **⋯** › **Delete** to remove it.
### Before you start
* **Tableau Sync must be set up.** Trulyp signs in to Tableau as the Trulyp member who uses the provider, so members must exist with the same username as in Tableau. Until a [Tableau sync](/trulyp/settings/tableau-sync.md) has run, the provider form shows **Tableau Sync required**: "Ask your user manager to setup Tableau Sync before creating a VDS connection."
* **Platform usernames must match Tableau.** The **Platform username** of each member must exactly match their Tableau username. Tableau Sync takes care of this for you. If they don't match, authentication fails for that member.
* **A Tableau connected app.** Create one in Tableau as described below.
A new semantic provider before Tableau Sync is set up
### Create a connected app in Tableau
1. In Tableau, open **Site Settings** › **Connected Apps**.
2. Click **New Connected App** and select **Direct Trust**.
3. Enter a name and click **Create**.
4. Open the new connected app and copy the **Client ID**.
5. Click **Generate New Secret**, and copy the **Secret ID** and **Secret value**.
6. Connected apps start disabled: open the actions menu next to its name and select **Enable**.
### Create the semantic provider
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Provider details
Click **Create new semantic provider** and enter a **Label**, for example `Tableau Cloud – Sales site`, and optionally a **Description**. The **Semantic provider** is always **VDS**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Connected app
Choose **Create new connected app**, or reuse one you set up before under **Use existing connected app**. Then fill in:
| Field | What to enter |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Connected app label** | A clear name for the connected app in Trulyp. You can reuse it for other providers. |
| **Tableau deployment** | **Tableau Cloud (Online)** or **Tableau Server (self-hosted)**. |
| **Tableau Online region** | Tableau Cloud only: the region (pod) of your site, for example **US West - Oregon (10ax)**. This fills in the **Server URL**. |
| **Server URL** | Tableau Server only: the full URL, including `https://`. |
| **Site content URL** | The site's name in the URL, for example `sales` from `/site/sales`. |
| **Client ID**, **Secret ID**, **Secret value** | From the connected app in Tableau. Also enter the **Secret value** when you reuse an existing connected app. |
Trulyp only uses read access: the scopes `tableau:content:read` and `tableau:viz_data_service:read`.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Test authentication
Click **Test authentication**. Trulyp signs in to Tableau as you, with your platform username. When it works, you see **Authentication tested successfully.**
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Access control
After a successful test, **Access control** appears. Select at least one team under **Authorized teams**: only their members can use the provider and the semantic models imported from it.
Click **Create semantic provider**. Your provider is ready!
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
### Edit a semantic provider
Click the pencil next to the provider, change what you need and click **Save semantic provider**. If you change anything about the connected app, test the authentication again before you can save.
Next: [import a Tableau data source as a semantic model](/trulyp/data/semantic-modeling.md#import-from-a-semantic-provider).
---
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