The full name of this n8n node, that enables Autom8 Alerts, is: Autom8 Tableau Alert Trigger. For its counterpart that acts as a “data action node”, see: Autom8 Tableau Action Trigger (aka n8n Action node).

Our example use case for setting up an Autom8 Alert is the following:

We are using the Superstore demo workbook that is provided with Tableau Desktop. Specifically, we’re looking at the right-hand side, the “Total Compensation with These Assumptions” chart.

We want an alert (in Slack) to be triggered when one or more Sales reach their target, represented by the reference line. We will have Autom8 check the data daily. Naturally, we could consider any other action outside of Slack, e.g. update a property in our ERP for that employee.

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Good ol' Superstore!

The Autom8 Tableau Extension is not used directly when creating an Autom8 Alert. (It is used when creating an Autom8 Action).

The n8n node for Autom8 Alerts is compatible with both deployment methods: that is, with n8n Cloud as well as the self-hosted variants. It is available regardless of the plan/license type used, including for the free and Community editions.

The installation method varies depending on the deployment method:

• CLOUD + SELF-HOSTED As a verified community node, directly from the nodes panel.

• SELF-HOSTED ONLY Through the community node menu in settings. The npm package is the following:

• Name: @biztory/n8n-nodes-autom8-tableau-alert-trigger

• Link: https://www.npmjs.com/package/@biztory/n8n-nodes-autom8-tableau-alert-trigger

Autom8 functions with a license. For more information, see: Licensing & Legal. A free license is available as well.

Follow these steps to set up the Autom8 Alert as described in the example use case.

If the Superstore demo workbook isn’t available on your Tableau Server/Cloud environment yet, publish it from Tableau Desktop.

You can consider publishing it to your Personal Space to minimize noise in your environment. Ensure that the Commission Model dashboard is definitely included; or feel free to publish the full workbook with all dashboards.

 

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Done!

 

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We can start putting together the n8n workflow that will monitor our dashboard, and emit an alert/trigger a workflow when the condition we have in mind is met. The first thing we’ll do is add the Autom8 Alert trigger node to the workflow:

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Next, we’ll click the newly added Autom8 Tableau - Data Alert Trigger node, and configure it. The configuration takes place in this (typical n8n) screen:

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Here’s what we’ll need to set up to tweak the Alert node to our needs:

1. Credential: a Connected App from our Tableau Environment. If you have a Connected App you’re already using for the Tableau node (like we showed in step 1), you can re-use that one. You are also free to create a separate one.

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2. Poll times: we can schedule the view to be checked however frequently (or infrequently) we want. The shortest possible time range between checks is one minute.
   In this example, we might opt for a daily check at e.g. 14:00.

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3. Source: which is a view, or a data source. In our case, the view called “Commission Model”.
   
   There are two ways of selecting a view or data source for Autom8 to check:

   1. By selecting it in the list, by name.

   2. By specifying its LUID.

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Selected in the list.

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Specified using a LUID (in case that happens to be your thing).

 

4. Variable filters: i.e. our condition for the alert to be triggered. This is the key part! This logic will determine whether yes or no, there is data that we want to act on.
   For this particular workbook/dashboard, we can use the following information from the Superstore workbook:

   1. Field name: Achieved Quota

   2. Value: 100% +

In “real-life” scenarios, it is often helpful to consider creating a calculated field with a clear name (e.g. data_condition_for_alert) that contains the logic for the evaluation and returns simply true or false.

For this example, we might also change the Emit setting of the node to Single Summary Item. Feel free to play around with the settings to familiarize yourself.

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At this point, we are ready to test our Autom8 Alert trigger node. Click “Fetch Test Event” to have Autom8 consult the dashboard, and determine whether the workflow should be kicked off or not.

In our case, there should be 20 rows that meet the condition for the Alert:

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Winner winner, chicken dinner!

For contrast, if no rows meet our condition, the trigger will return no data and thus not run the workflow. This is, of course, as intended. For illustration:

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As expected!

The rest is a piece of cake! We have the data in our n8n workflow, so the world is our oyster. E.g. we can send this data to Slack, even with a screenshot, like this:

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Neat!

This concludes the “Getting Started” guide for Autom8 Alerts.