Shape Assignments Reset When Data Source is Replaced

Issue

Shape assignments for calculated fields are reset to the default assignment when the data source is replaced.

Environment

Tableau Desktop

Resolution

Try the following workaround options:

Option 1

Instead of replacing a data source, edit the the data source connection details:

On the Data menu, select a data source, and then select Edit Data Source.
Right-click (control-click on a Mac) the data source in the Data pane and then select Edit Connection.
In the dialog box that appears, update the connection details, and then click Sign In (for non-file-based data sources) or Open (for file-based data sources).

Option 2

Copy the calculated fields used for shape marks over to the new data source before replacing the data source. For each calculated field, do the following:

After adding the new data source, select the original data source in the Data pane.
Right-click the calculated field > Copy.
Select the new data source in the Data pane.
Right-click anywhere in the data pane > Paste.

After copying all calculated fields that are used for shape marks, carry out the remaining steps to replace the data source.

Cause

For the shape assignments to be copied over when replacing a data source, the calculated fields must already be present in the replacement data source.