Error "The custom geocoding folder ... has errors" When Creating Map

Issue

When creating a map in Tableau Desktop, the following errors might occur:

The custom geocoding folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Tableau\Tableau 8.3\local\data has errors.
There was a problem connecting to the data source C:\Program Files (x86)\Tableau\Tableau 8.3\local\data\AreaCode.tds:
Error encountered while loading C:\Program Files (x86)\Tableau\Tableau 8.3\bin\fbclient.dll
Unable to connect to the file "C:\Program Files (x86)\Tableau\Tableau 8.3\local\data\GEOCODING.FDB". Check that the file exists and that you have sufficient access privileges for it.

The custom geocoding data source C:\Program Files (x86)\Tableau\Tableau 8.3\local\data\City.tds contains errors:
boost::bad_any_cast: failed conversion using boost::any_cast
Unable to connect to the file "C:\Program Files (x86)\Tableau\Tableau 8.3\local\data\GEOCODING.FDB". Check that the file exists and that you have sufficient access privileges for it.

Environment

Tableau Desktop

Resolution

Option 1

Confirm there is a firebird folder in the ProgramData directory:

1. Navigate to: C:\ProgramData.
2. Verify that the /firebird folder exists.

Confirm that its permissions are set to "read/write".

3. If this folder does not exist:

Create a folder named "firebird".
Confirm that its permissions are set to "read/write".

4. Restart Tableau Desktop and reopen the workbook.

If mapping still does not work after completing the steps above, uninstall and re-install Tableau Desktop:

Do a full uninstall of Tableau Desktop.
- Un-install the application.
- Delete the Tableau folder found here: C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86).
Reboot the machine.
Re-install Tableau Desktop.

Option 2

Go to Control Panel > Program and Features > select Tableau Desktop > click Uninstall/Change
Choose to Repair the installation application.

Cause

During the installation process, Firebird was not installed correctly. As a result a FIREBIRD_LOCK variable is set, which prevents geocoding from working properly.