New Database Fields Added To Existing Connection Without Friendly Name

Issue

When adding new field to a database and refreshing an existing connection in Tableau Desktop to that database, then the new field is imported with the remote database name rather than the cleaned-up friendly name that automatically removes some special characters. For example, column_one instead of Column One.

Environment

Tableau Desktop

Resolution

Rename the new fields in Tableau Desktop to the desired friendly name.

Cause

By design, fields are given friendly names only at the time the connection to the data source is first made. Tableau Desktop does not know which fields have been previously used, therefore renaming fields with friendly names in an existing connection could break calculated fields, parameters, joins, and blends that rely on those field names.