Alteryx Designer Core

Dynamic Input Data Tool

- Reads multiple Sheets of Data from source .xlsx workbooks -Templates set the guidelines for what information is imported and how the information appears when all of the sheets are read in - If a sheet DOES NOT MATCH the template, it WILL NOT BE IMPORTED - Imported data is stacked VERTICALLY - Sheets that are not imported or are imported POSITIONALLY will display a WARNING Message - Alteryx Designer users Two (2) Attributes when evaluating Sheets against the Template (1) Number of Columns (2) Names of the Columns

Output Data Tool: CSV File

- Stores all data values as string data types - Any unsupported data types (ex. spatial objects) will be dropped from the outputted file Configuration Output Options: (1) Max Records Per File - Limit the number of rows exported in a single file - Creates multiple files when there are more rows than you specify (2) File Format (3) Delimiters - Specify how the data should be separated in the output (4) First Row Contains Field Names (5) Quote Output Fields (6) Code Page - Select a code page to convert text upon output (7) Line Ending Style (8) Write BOM

YXDB (Alteryx Database) Configuration

- The most efficient file type for reading data into Alteryx - Fast, Efficient, Clean Options: (1) Record Limit - Limit the number of rows to import to improve runtimes - Manually type the number of records to read in (2) File Format (3) Search SubDirs - Search Subdirectories to input other files with the same name, type or structure (4) Output File Name on Field - Add a column showing source file name or full path - By default, none of this information will be included with the input data

What do Exclamation Marks on Tools mean?

The tool is not configured correctly & needs to be corrected in order for the workflow to run correctly.

DateTime Tool

Transform date/time data to and from a variety of formats, including both expression-friendly and human readable formats.

Repeatability

Use a workflow to transform manual steps into an automated process. With a repeatable workflow, simply change the input data and click "Run".

Browse Tool

View data from a connected tool and view data profile information, reporting snippets, maps, and behavior analysis information in the data.

Append Fields Tool

Append the fields from a source input to every record of a target input. Each record of the target input will be duplicated for every record in the source input.

Input Data Tool

Bring data into your workflow by selecting a file or connecting to a database (optionally, using a query). - Data lives OUTSIDE the workflow - Values update (are dynamic) - Must export workflow to share files - Data is configured based on the file type being imported -Close all input files to avoid errors - Previews the first 100 rows of data from the selected file

Join Tool

Combine two data streams based on common fields (or record position). In the joined output, each row will contain the data from both inputs.

Union Tool

Combine two or more data streams with similar structures based on field names or position. In the output, each column will contain the data from each input. - Can accept multiple inputs - First input connected determines output column names and data types - Re-name the connections to help identify data sources - Re-organize the order in which data is combined Joins Data by stacking vertically based on: (1) Column Name (2) Column Position (3) Manually

Count Records Tool

Count the records passing through the data stream. A count of zero is returned if no records pass through.

Formula Tool

Create or update columns using one or more expressions to perform a broad variety of calculations and/or operations.

Excel Workbook Configuration

Data is stored in a tabular (table) format/structure in sheets or a named range (1) Record Limit - Limit the number of rows to import (2) File Format (3) Table or Query - Displays your configuration selection - Click the Ellipses (...) to edit this setting (4) Search Sub Dirs (5) Output File Name as Field - Add a column showing source file name or full path - Easy to identify and use source info in workflow (6) First Row Contains Data - Select this box if the first row of an input data contains data values, not column names (7) Start Data Import on Line - Avoid importing extraneous information from data sources - Enter the line on which data values start

Scalability

Designer accommodates multiple data sources at once, in the same workflow. There is no row-limit so you can work with your large datasets all at once. It also means that those sources can exist as varying formats in one workflow.

Safety

Designer offers a safe development environment for testing, exploring and solving. By simply inputting data into the workflow, you are not overwriting the existing file. You choose where and how to save results.

Sort Tool

Sort records based on the values in one or more fields.

Text to Columns Tool

Split the text from one field into separate rows of columns.

Text Input Tool

Manually add data which will be stored in the workflow. Methods of Use: (1) Copy & Paste (2) Import a File (3*) Enter values in cells - Data lives WITHIN the workflow - Values are static - Can be shared by sharing the workflow - Data is automatically categorized to smallest type and size Data Types: -Data types may need to match that of other inputs, especially when that data will be blended with other data -Be mindful of the characteristics of each data type and how it may impact your workflow later on. - Empty values are assigned null values

CSV Configuration

(1) Record Limit - Improve run times - Manually type number of records to input (4) Output File Name As Field - Add a column showing source file name or full path - Easy to identify and use source info in workflow (5) Delimiters - Manually enter delimiters (6) First Row Contains Field Names - Deselect if columns do not have names (7) Field Length - Default is 254 Characters - Manually change the length of a column to avoid truncated values (8) Start Data Import on Line - Avoid importing extraneous information from data sources - Enter the line on which data values start (9) Ignore delimiters in (10) Treat Read Errors as Warnings (11) Code Page - Data can be encoded with a particular format (ex. UTF-8 or Language) - Select the correct code page for your data (12) Allow Shared Write Access

4 Benefits of Alteryx Designer

(1) Transparency (2) Repeatability (3) Safety (4) Scalability

4 Components of Alteryx Designer

- Canvas - Configuration Window - Tool Palette - Results Window

3 Ways to Add Tools to the Workflow

- Drag from tool palette - Search for tools - [ Right Click ] Canvas and INSERT

Output Data Tool: Alteryx Database

- File extension = .YXDB - Most efficient output format -Compressed for maximum speed - Uses the same structure as Designer - No limit on rows Configuration Output Options: (1) Max records per file (2) File format (3) No Spatial Index (4) Save Source & Description - Default settings includes source and description data -Useful for understanding the origin of data

Output Data Tool: Excel Workbooks

- Limited number of rows & types of data - Spatial objects are not supported Configuration Output Options: (1) Max Records Per File (2) File Format (3) Output Options (4) Append Field Map "Create New Sheet" When writing data for the first time Change your selection to overwrite or modify existing files on subsequent runs

Comment Tool

Add annotation or images to the workflow canvas to capture notes or explain processes for later reference.

Sample Tool

Limit the data stream to a number, percentage, or random set of records.

Filter Tool

Query records based on an expression to split data into two streams. True (records that satisfy the expression) and False (those that do not).

Tool Container

Organize tools into a single box which can be collapsed or disabled.

Output Data Tool

Output the contents of a data stream to a file or database - Has only 1 anchor for INPUT - Take File/Table Name From Field

Data Cleansing Tool

Perform basic data cleansing operations such as replacing null values, removing punctuation, and modifying case.

Cross Tab Tool

Pivot the orientation of data in a table by moving vertical data onto a horizontal axis and summarizing selected data.

Transpose Tool

Pivot the orientation of the data in a table by moving horizontal data are on the vertical axis.

Find Replace Tool

Search for data in one field from one data stream and replace it with a specified field from a different stream. Similar to an Excel VLOOKUP

Select Records Tool

Select specific records and/or ranges of records including discontinuous ranges. Useful for troubleshooting and sampling.

Select Tool

Select, deselect, reorder, and rename fields, change field type or size, and assign a description.

Summarize Tool

Summarize data by grouping, summing, counting, spatial processing, string concatenation, and much more. The output contains only the results of the calculation(s).

Transparency

You have visibility of all the actions performed on the data set. The workflow shows what steps were taken and the order in which they were performed.