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Intro to Alteryx

This guide provides an introduction to several of the frequently used tools in Alteryx.

Preparation tools

Select tool       

The Select tool allows you to include, exclude, or reorder the columns of data that pass through a workflow. You can also use this tool to modify the type and size of data, rename a column, or add a description.


To include a column in data, select the check box to the left of the column name. Deselect the check box to exclude the column. You will notice that we have an Unknown field listed. This field is for adding new fields to your work and is present for many of the tools. For the workflow, select Order ID, Order Date, Ship Date, Order Priority and Customer ID.  Once this is done, click the Run button.

 

In checking the results, only Order ID, Order Date, Ship Date, Order Priority and Customer ID are seen.

 

 

Filter tool  

The Filter tool queries records by using an expression and splits data into two outputs: True, where the data meets the specified criteria, and False, where the data does not meet the specified criteria. Use this tool to identify records in your data that meet a specified criteria. 

Select the type of filter to use

Basic filter: Use the basic filter to quickly build a simple query on a single column of data.

  1. Click Select column to select the data to filter.
  2. In the next drop down, select the operator to use depending on the data type of the selected column.
  3. Complete the expression by typing a value or selecting the available date values.

Custom filter: Use the custom filter to build a more complex expression or to query from multiple fields in the data stream.

Download the ProductsShipping datafile to your computer and select the "Products" sheet. Click on the Filter tool and select the Basic filter, then select Profit as the data to filter.  Choose the < from the menu of operators.  Then type 0 in box for the value.  Click the Run button.

By clicking on the T anchor, the data can be seen which meets criteria. Clicking on the F anchor reveals data that did not meet the criteria. 

Formula tool   

The Formula tool creates a new column, or updates a column by using one or more expressions to perform a variety of calculations and operations. 

Configure the tool

Using the Input Data tool, bring the datafile into the workspace.  Drag the Formula tool onto the workspace and connect it to the Input Data tool.

In the Configuration window, select an Output Column of data in Select Column; choose an existing column or add a new column.

  • Click on Select Column
  • Click + Add Column and type the new column name.
  • Click the expression editor and build an expression.

Once the workflow has been run, the Data Preview box displays the first row of data from the specified column with the expression applied.

To get started,  select +Add Column.  For the column name, type in Total.

For the expression, type in [Sales]+[Shipping Cost]    As you type the [, a dialog box will pop up and allow you to select data columns that wiil be use to calculate our new column.

Once the expression is entered, click the Run button.

Once you have run your workflow, the Results pane should show the first rows of your data.  Notice that a new column, Total, is now the last column in the results.

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