Inserting links in text fields/columns

[Alessandro Presa Perez]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone can suggest a solution to the problem below (or the Atlassian team can confirm what is supported with the current version of Confluence Databases):

Can hyperlinks be inserted in a Confluence Database text column?

Objective: I am trying to create a simple Confluence DB which lists a series of Tableau dashboards with some of their associated characteristics. To keep the scenario simple, I'd like the table show a column with a clickable dashboard name. So an example cell value might be Cool Fancy Dashboard (using a dummy URL). 

Approach 1:  using field type = link for the column. When I paste the URL of a Tableau dashboard into the cell and set  automatic link text = true the URL does not actually get reformatted, which is a shame - I simply have a long, raw URL. It seems that Tableau links that reference assets stored in an internal environment don't get the beautified treatment. I assume that's a limitation but expected?

Approach 2: using field type = text. I tried typing the dashboard name and then inserting a hyperlink into the text but it does not seem to be possible (I also tried the usual Ctrl + K shortcut but no luck). Is this a limitation with Confluence Databases?

Thanks in advance!

[Barbara Acker]

Hi @Alessandro Presa Perez
I have tried to recreate what you want to do (using the Dummy URL) and it seems to work for me. I get a clickable  reformatted URL:
Or is this issue only with the Tableaus?

[Alessandro Presa Perez]

Hi @Barbara Acker, thanks for your suggestion! I can also reproduce that desired behaviour with the dummy link I posted the problem is that Tableau links don't get reformatted whatsoever :(

In an ideal state, the Tableau URL would get reformatted to simply display the dashboard name but it doesn't seem to be supported

[Barbara Acker]

Hi @Alessandro Presa Perez

you are very welcome! Sorry I couldn't really help you. The only thing you could check is that the link you are trying to use does not have any formatting (maybe paste it in an editor first) and check that the link itself has is correct (does it start with http:// or  https//?)

If you copy the tableau links to somewhere else, does it get reformatted then?

[Alessandro Presa Perez]

Thanks @Barbara Acker! Strangely, when I paste a dashboard URL as a Tableau Smart Chip for Google Docs it actually works fine. I realize it's a different product but I'd think it would either work for both or none of them...

[Barbara Acker]

@Alessandro Presa Perez Hmm.. I agree with you, I would also think that it should for either one of them or none. I would guess that it might be an Atlassian bug then for that specific one you would like to have. 

[Gee -]

Try create a short URL link to your tableau dashboard (use URL shorterner service, e.g. bit.ly), and add the short URL to your database field with field type=link instead :)

[Alessandro Presa Perez]

Thanks for the suggestion @Gee -! I tried using bit.ly using the steps below:

1. Create new link

2. Destination = Tableau dashboard full URL

3. Title = Tableau dashboard name (e.g. Dashboard ABC)

4. Domain = tabsoft.co

However, the same problem persists when I paste the shortened URL into a cell with column type = link: the URL doesn't display the underlying dashboard name (Dashboard ABC), just the shortened URL. I also tried switching domain = bit.ly but still get the same result. Just to confirm: I have Automatic Link Text = true in my Confluence Database link column.

That's why I was also exploring using column = text hoping that I could just type Dashboard ABC and then insert/embed the URL into the text. That doesn't seem to work either so I'm left scratching my head :(

[Gee -]

@Alessandro Presa Perez 

Forget about bit.ly. I just realized that Databases actually took page title from Tableau URL, instead of bit.ly. It works for me this way:

I've tested it with a public dashboard.

From Dashboard, Click Share

Copy Link

The URL should looked like this

https://public.tableau.com/views/LondoninNumbers/LondonDemographics?:language=en-US&:sid=&:redirect=auth&:display_count=n&:origin=viz_share_link

Paste the URL directly into Database field type=link, the title appears beautified.

If you can get a shareable URL of your Dashboard, this will probably work for you too.

[Alessandro Presa Perez]

Thanks again for your help @Gee! The problem is I'm not using Tableau Public but rather a private, company environment. When I try the steps you suggested, it still shows me the full URL :(

The weird thing is when I paste a dashboard URL as a Tableau Smart Chips for Google Docs it actually works fine. I realize it's a different product but I'd think it would either work for both or none of them...