How to Install Tableau and Power BI on Ubuntu Using VirtualBox

This guide explains how to install and run Windows-based Business Intelligence (BI) tools such as Tableau and Power BI on an Ubuntu system using VirtualBox. Since these tools are not natively supported on Linux, a virtual machine provides a reliable workaround.

What This Guide Covers

• Installing VirtualBox on Ubuntu
• Setting up a Windows virtual machine
• Installing Tableau and Power BI within the virtual machine
• System resource considerations

Prerequisites

To ensure smooth installation and performance, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

• Ubuntu 20.04 or later
• At least 16 GB of RAM
• At least 100 GB of free disk space
• A Windows ISO file (Windows 10 or 11) available from Microsoft's website

Step 1: Install VirtualBox on Ubuntu

Open the terminal and run the following commands to install VirtualBox:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install virtualbox virtualbox-ext-pack

Confirm with Y when prompted.

Step 2: Download Windows ISO

Visit the official Microsoft website to download a Windows ISO:

• Go to: https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/
• Choose Windows 10 or 11
• Select your language and architecture (64-bit)
• Save the ISO file to your system

Step 3: Create a Windows Virtual Machine

1. Launch VirtualBox
2. Click "New"
3. Provide a name for the virtual machine (e.g., WindowsBI)
4. Set the following:
   • Type: Microsoft Windows
   • Version: Windows 10 (64-bit)
5. Allocate resources:
   • RAM: Minimum 8 GB (8192 MB)
   • Virtual Hard Disk: 60–80 GB (dynamically allocated recommended)
6. Click "Create"

Step 4: Mount and Install Windows

1. Select the created VM and open "Settings"
2. Navigate to "Storage"
3. Under "Controller: IDE", click "Empty"
4. Click the disk icon and choose the Windows ISO file
5. Click "OK"
6. Start the virtual machine
7. Follow the Windows installation process

If prompted for a product key and you're only testing, you can choose "I don’t have a product key."

Step 5: Install Guest Additions (Optional but Recommended)

Guest Additions improve VM performance and enable features like shared clipboard.

To install:

1. Start the Windows VM
2. From the VirtualBox menu, go to "Devices" > "Insert Guest Additions CD image"
3. Open "This PC" inside the VM and run the CD
4. Complete the installation and restart the VM

Step 6: Install Tableau

1. Inside the Windows VM, open a web browser
2. Visit https://www.tableau.com
3. Download Tableau Public or a free trial of Tableau Desktop
4. Run the installer
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installation

Step 7: Install Power BI

1. Inside the Windows VM, visit https://powerbi.microsoft.com
2. Download Power BI Desktop
3. Run the installer
4. Complete the setup as guided

System Performance Recommendations

When running a virtual machine for BI tools, proper allocation of system resources is crucial.

Avoid multitasking heavily on the host Ubuntu OS while the virtual machine is running. Shut down the VM when not in use to free up resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Tableau or Power BI run natively on Ubuntu?
No. Both are designed for Windows environments. VirtualBox provides a compatible environment to run them.

Is using VirtualBox safe for my Ubuntu system?
Yes. VirtualBox isolates the Windows environment. Your Ubuntu installation remains unaffected.

Can I dual boot instead of using VirtualBox?
Yes, but it requires partitioning your disk and managing bootloaders, which is more complex. VirtualBox is generally easier and safer.

Conclusion

Running Tableau and Power BI on Ubuntu is achievable through VirtualBox and a Windows virtual machine. This approach allows Ubuntu users to access professional BI tools without switching operating systems or compromising system stability.

This setup is ideal for analysts, developers, and professionals working in Linux environments who need access to Windows-only BI tools.