---
schema_version: "1"
id: f357bd2c6d786590a1571a5eee03dd28912f6e688403d238d2f4f20531565790
title: Alibaba MaxCompute
collection: tableau
version: current
locale: en-gb
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/tableau/current/en-gb/pro/desktop/examples_alibaba_maxcompute.md
canonical_url: https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-gb/examples_alibaba_maxcompute.htm
source_site: help.tableau.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: efec81f37f6849e377db1ca961d161e0419e2512465f37368f9d02f2d0044354
description: Connect Tableau to Alibaba MaxCompute and set up the data source.
---
[Skip to main content](#main-content)

# Alibaba MaxCompute

This topic describes how to connect Tableau to Alibaba MaxCompute and set up the data source.

## Before you begin

Before you begin, gather this connection information:

- URL of the MaxCompute service
- Username and password
- (Optional) Initial SQL statement to run every time Tableau connects

### Driver required

This connector requires a driver to talk to the database. If the driver is not installed on your computer, Tableau displays a message in the connection dialog box with a link to the [Driver Download](https://www.tableau.com/en-gb/support/drivers) page where you can find driver links and installation instructions.

## Make the connection and set up the data source

1. Start Tableau and under Connect, select Alibaba MaxCompute. For a complete list of data connections, select More under To a Server. Then do the following:
    
    1. Enter the URL for the Server.
    2. Enter the Username and Password.
    3. (Optional) Select Initial SQL to specify a SQL command to run at the beginning of every connection, such as when you open the workbook, refresh an extract, sign in to Tableau Server or publish to Tableau Server. For more information, see [Run Initial SQL](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-gb/connect_basic_initialsql.htm).
    4. Select Sign In.
        
        If Tableau can’t make the connection, verify that your credentials are correct. If you still can't connect, your computer is having trouble locating the server. Contact your network administrator or database administrator for more assistance.
2. On the data source page, do the following:
    
    1. (Optional) Select the default data source name at the top of the page, and then enter a unique data source name for use in Tableau. For example, use a data source naming convention that helps other users of the data source figure out which data source to connect to.
    2. Under Database, select a database from the drop-down list or enter a database name.
    3. Under Table, select a table or search for a table by name.
    4. Drag the table to the canvas, and then select the sheet tab to start your analysis.
        
        Use custom SQL to connect to a specific query rather than the entire data source. For more information, see [Connect to a Custom SQL Query](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-gb/customsql.htm).

## Sign in on a Mac

If you use Tableau Desktop on a Mac, when you enter the server name to connect, use a fully qualified domain name, such as mydb.test.ourdomain.lan, instead of a relative domain name, such as mydb or mydb.test.

Alternatively, you can add the domain to the list of Search Domains for the Mac computer so that when you connect, you need to provide only the server name. To update the list of Search Domains, go to System Preferences > Network > Advanced, and then open the DNS tab.

## See also

- [Set Up Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-gb/datasource_prepare.htm) – Add more data to this data source or prepare your data before you analyse it.
- [Build Charts and Analyse Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-gb/design_and_analyze.htm) – Begin your data analysis.