---
schema_version: "1"
id: af8ef79ac1bd84e52e20f2e7864cf80e4ea29ea2a48a1c45c066df99a2170888
title: Add an Administrator Account
collection: tableau
version: next
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/tableau/next/en-us/server-linux/startup.md
canonical_url: https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/server-linux/en-us/startup.htm
source_site: help.tableau.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 3f69fb23acdeada413c486b29afcec4954b8e5dc72bd2e91ed980e2167267be7
description: Add the initial administrator account to activate Tableau Server.
---
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# Add an Administrator Account

The final step in activating Tableau Server is to add the initial administrator account. The administrator will have all access to the server including the ability to manage users, groups, and projects.

The server must be running when you create the initial admin user.

If you have configured the Tableau Server identity store to use LDAP or Active Directory, then the initial administrative user that you specify must be an account in the directory. The initial administrative user is generally distinct from the user account on the Tableau Server computer that you use to run `tsm`.

However, these accounts can be the same if you have configured the Tableau Server identity store to use LDAP or Active Directory and the initial admin user is a member of the `tsmadmin` group on the Tableau Server computer.

## Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the procedures in this topic, complete the following prerequisites as outlined in [Install and Configure Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/server-linux/en-us/install_config_top.htm):

- [Install and Initialize TSM](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/server-linux/en-us/setup.htm)
- [Activate and Register Tableau Server](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/server-linux/en-us/activate.htm)
- [Configure Initial Node Settings](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/server-linux/en-us/config_general.htm)

After Tableau Server is finished initializing, the installation program will display a page to create the Tableau Server administrator.

- If you configured a local identity store during setup, then specify a name and password that you want to use.
- If you configured a LDAP or Active Directory identity store during setup, then you must specify a user account that is a member of the directory.
- The `username` value cannot include an at sign (@) unless the user name suffix matches Tableau Server's primary domain. For example, if Tableau Server connects to domain "myco.com", a user name of "user@example.com@myco.com" cannot be used.

If you are installing remotely, then you must sign in to TSM on the physical computer where Tableau Server is installing, or you can access the computer remotely and run the tabcmd [initialuser](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/server-linux/en-us/tabcmd_cmd.htm#initialu) command from a shell.

You must create the initial administrative account for Tableau Server.

- If you configured a local identity store during setup, then specify a name and password that you want to use.
- If you configured a LDAP or Active Directory identity store during setup, then you must specify a user account that is a member of the directory.
- The `username` value cannot include an at sign (@) unless the user name suffix matches Tableau Server's primary domain. For example, if Tableau Server connects to domain "myco.com", a user name of "user@example.com@myco.com" cannot be used.

To create the initial user, run the following `tabcmd` command:

`tabcmd initialuser --server http://localhost --username '<new-admin-username>'`

For example:

`tabcmd initialuser --server http://localhost --username 'tableau-admin'`

If you are running the HTTP protocol on a port other than 80, specify the port after the host name, for example: `--server http://localhost:8080`.

After you run the command, the shell will prompt for an administrative password.

## Next steps

After you have created the Tableau Server administrator account, continue your deployment by working through the configuration topics at [Post Installation Tasks](https://help.tableau.com/v0.0/server-linux/en-us/config_post_install.htm).

**Important:** You must install the PostgreSQL driver if you want to use the built-in administrative views. You can find driver links and installation instructions for all the supported connectors on the [Driver Download page](https://www.tableau.com/support/drivers).