Alteryx SQL Editor adding spaces before and after dashes

Hello everyone,

I am copying a previously opened thread, since I am encountering the exact the same issue, I just updated the version of Alteryx Desktop, the link is provided below:

Alteryx changes my sql code by adding spaces before and after dash/hypen.

Step 1 I put this functioning workflow into the SQL Editor:

Select *

from `alpha-data-main-bfg.D6_FACT_MAC.WJ_BT_APPLES`

(works great)

Step 2. Click on the Visual Query Builder and add/remove columns / change anything.

Then click back on SQL Editor and my code has changed to

Select *

from `alpha - data - main - bfg.D6_FACT_MAC.WJ_BT_APPLES`

(spaces added before and after dashes)

Now my query won't run and gives error messages indicating that the data source doesn't exist.

So i have to go back in and find/replace to remove the spaces Alteryx added.

Is this a known problem with a solution?

I'm on Version: 2021.3.4.00445

Previous thread: https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Alteryx-SQL-Editor-adding-spaces-before-and-after-dashes/td-p/839026

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rzdodson

@NawfalMahmood from what I am tracking to, I encounter similar issues as well. I typically utilize Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio to write the preponderance of my SQL query, and then copying and pasting it in to an Input or In-DB tool afterwards. It staves off Alteryx's Query builder from adding or removing underscores from the query language and enables it to run without issue.

apathetichell

I do this via text input tool and dynamic input in-db (usually in a batch macro with some changing parameter) but same idea...

NawfalMahmood

Thank you for sharing your experience. Unfortunately, I dont utilize Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. I am hoping to find a fix within Alteryx, not sure if this is a bug or there is a reason behind it.

NawfalMahmood

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am not using in-db tool, hopefully there is a solution for regular data input tool.

rzdodson

@NawfalMahmood I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that is just how the SQL Query Builder is. If you must use it (i.e. the organization does not have a data dictionary which tells you what fields are what) then use the Query Builder. Then, once you have selected all of your fields, copy/paste that over to some word processor (Word, Notepad) and then change the table name through a CTRL+F + Replace. Once the query is converted to what it ought to be, you can copy/paste it back in your query builder window. Once that restructured query is loaded, your workflow should run without issues.