: Use the following commands to generate a request file, which you then submit via the web portal as described in the offline activation steps above.
| Method | Command / Step | |--------|----------------| | | Configuration → License → Check Status | | CLI | tsm licenses list | | Tableau Server Admin | https:// /#/admin → License |
⚠️ Offline activation ties the license to that server’s hardware ID. Moving to a new machine requires deactivating first.
Reviews also highlight the shift toward more restrictive models: Manual Activation and disappearing Licenses. : r/tableau tableau server license key activation
Paste your 24-character Tableau Server product key into the field and click .
This command generates a file named activation.tlq in your current directory (or a specified path). Step 2: Upload the File to Tableau
start/wait tabinstallck.exe -activate <product_key> if %errorlevel% EQU 0 (ECHO SUCCESS) ELSE (ECHO FAILED) : Use the following commands to generate a
A standard Tableau Server product key can typically be activated on up to three environments simultaneously (e.g., Production, QA, and Development). If you try to activate it a fourth time, or if a VM was rebuilt without deactivating the old license, this error triggers.
tsm licenses list
Enter your (formatted as XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX). Fill out the Registration form (Name, Email, Organization). Click Activate to finalize. Method 2: Using the TSM Web UI (Ongoing Management) Reviews also highlight the shift toward more restrictive
Once the key is activated, it unlocks the specific functionality associated with the purchase. For instance, activating a "Creator" key enables the full breadth of authoring capabilities, while a "Viewer" key restricts users to read-only interactions. In the "Core-based" licensing model, the activation does not count individual users but rather licenses the hardware resources (CPU cores), allowing for unlimited user access. The accuracy of this activation is critical; failure to properly activate the correct key type can result in users being locked out of necessary features or the organization inadvertently falling out of compliance.
[Air-Gapped Tableau Server] --(Generates Request File)--> [Removable Media / Bastion] │ (Uploads to Web) ▼ [Air-Gapped Tableau Server] <--(Applies Response File)---- [Tableau Activation Site] Step 1: Generate the Activation Request File
The site will provide a .tlr (Response) file.
Log in to the TSM Web UI or open your command line on the isolated server.