--- schema_version: "1" id: 52e3a99474535c027f41d819e27a1225e85bac53dd3b6c0ca78d6ced2f23c08a title: Use Web Map Service (WMS) Servers collection: tableau version: next locale: en-us portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/tableau/next/en-us/public/desktop/maps_mapsources_wms.md canonical_url: https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_mapsources_wms.htm source_site: help.tableau.com content_type: documentation content_hash: 0b14ccfa25b231110e38a801eaf79bcdf83a6ec9816621f87132368d20f6a9d1 description: Connect to and use Web Map Service (WMS) servers as background maps in Tableau. --- [Skip to main content](#main-content) # Use Web Map Service (WMS) Servers In Tableau Desktop, you can connect to map servers with the Web Map Service (WMS) protocol. WMS is a standard protocol for requesting and receiving geographically referenced imagery. You can connect to any WMS server that supports the WMS 1.0.0, 1.1.0, or 1.1.1 standards. ## Connect to a WMS server 1. In Tableau Desktop, select Map > Background Maps >WMS Servers. 2. In the Add WMS Servers dialog box, type the URL for the server you want to connect to in Tableau, and then click OK. ![Add WMS Servers dialog box with an empty field for the server URL.](/tableau/next/en-us/public/desktop/en-us/Img/map_mapsources_wms1.png) You can add as many map servers as you want to a workbook. Each WMS server you add appears as a background map in the **Background Maps** menu. ### Save a WMS server as a Tableau map source After you add a WMS server to your workbook, it is saved with the workbook and available to anyone you share the workbook with. You can also save a WMS server as a Tableau Map Source (.tms) file, which you can share with others so they can quickly connect to it and use it in their own workbooks. For more information about how to save a map as a Tableau map source, see [Save a Map Source](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_mapsources_export.htm) . ## Use a WMS background map After you connect to a WMS server, you can create a map view using the WMS background map that Tableau creates. **To create a map view using a WMS server:** 1. In Tableau Desktop, select Map \> Background Maps, and then select a WMS background map to use in the view. ![Map menu expanded with background maps and GeoServer Web Map Service selected.](/tableau/next/en-us/public/desktop/en-us/Img/map_mapsources_wms4.png) 2. Add a geographic field to the view. For more information, see [Mapping Concepts in Tableau](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_build.htm). ![Two geographic fields (country and state) added to a view of a US map.](/tableau/next/en-us/public/desktop/en-us/Img/map_mapsources_wms5.png) 3. Select Map \> Map Layers, and then select the map layers you want to show in the view. For more information, see [Customize How Your Map Looks](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_options.htm). ![List of map layers that can be applied to a view.](/tableau/next/en-us/public/desktop/en-us/Img/map_mapsources_wms6.png) ## Performance considerations The content, speed, and performance of a WMS server is reliant on the network and WMS provider. If your Internet connection is interrupted or if you're working behind a restrictive firewall, you can use the Offline background map that comes installed with Tableau Desktop to avoid any performance issues while you build your map view. You can switch back to your WMS server at any time. **Note:** With the offline background map, you might only be able to access up to four levels of zoom. For more information, see [Select Background Maps](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_mapsources.htm). ## Supported Spatial Reference Systems Tableau automatically supports the following list of Spatial Reference Systems (SRS) / European Petroleum Survey Group (EPSG) codes. WMS servers must support at least one of the following spatial reference systems to be compatible with Tableau mapping features.

Supported SRS/EPSG Codes in Tableau:

3857 - WGS 84 / Pseudo-Mercator [DEFAULT]

4326 - WGS 84

4269 - NAD83

3824 - TWD97

3889 - IGRS

4019 - Unknown datum based on the GRS 80 ellipsoid

4023 - MOLDREF99

4030 - Unknown datum based upon the WGS 84 ellipsoid

4031 - Unknown datum based upon the GEM 10C ellipsoid

4046 - RGRDC 2005

4075 - SREF98

4081 - REGCAN95

4126 - LKS94 (ETRS89)

4130 - Moznet

4140 - NAD83(CSRS98)

4148 - Hartebeesthoek94

4151 - CHTRF95

4152 - NAD83(HARN)

4163 - Yemen NGN96

4166 - Korean 1995

4167 - NZGD2000

4170 - SIRGAS 1995

4171 - RGF93

4172 - POSGAR

4173 - IRENET95

4176 - Australian Antarctic

4180 - EST97

4189 - REGVEN

4190 - POSGAR 98

4258 - ETRS89

4283 - GDA94

4319 - KUDAMS

4612 - JGD2000

4617 - NAD83(CSRS)

4619 - SWEREF99

4627 - RGR92

4640 - RRAF 1991

4645 - RGNC 1991

4659 - ISN93

4661 - LKS92

4667 - IKBD-92

4669 - LKS94

4670 - IGM95

4674 - SIRGAS 2000

4686 - MAGNA-SIRGAS

4687 - RGPF

4693 - Nakhl-e Ghanem

4694 - POSGAR 94

4702 - Mauritania 1999

4737 - Korea 2000

4742 - GDM2000

4747 - GR96

4749 - RGNC91-93

4755 - DGN95

4756 - VN-2000

4757 - SVY21

4758 - JAD2001

4759 - NAD83(NSRS2007)

4761 - HTRS96

4762 - BDA2000

4763 - Pitcairn 2006

4764 - RSRGD2000

4765 - Slovenia 1996

102100 - WGS 84 Web Mercator (Auxiliary Sphere)
## See also: [Use Mapbox Maps](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_mapsources_mapbox.htm) [Save a Map Source](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_mapsources_export.htm) [Import a Map Source](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_mapsources_import.htm) [Select Background Maps](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_mapsources.htm) [Customize How Your Map Looks](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/public/desktop/en-us/maps_options.htm)