Tableau Prep's 23.1 update introduces a new feature that allows users to preserve the sort order of Excel and CSV files when loading data. This addition is especially useful when the order of the data has significance, such as when it is collected manually or generated by a tool in a specific sequence.

The idea for this feature came from Jonathan Drummey, a member of the Tableau community, who submitted a suggestion nearly five years ago. His post has since inspired multiple features in Tableau, demonstrating the power of community contributions.

However, this new feature is not available for databases, as they function differently from flat files. Databases allow users to sort data as needed, so preserving the original order is not as crucial. While it is possible to implement a similar feature for databases, it raises an interesting discussion about the necessity of doing so.

In conclusion, Tableau Prep 23.1 makes it easier for users to include the original row order as a column in their data sets when working with Excel and CSV files. This update highlights the importance of community input in driving product innovation and enhancing user experience.

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