Sharepoint Sync (Input Data tool) Run on Server

Has anyone gotten the Sharepoint Sync method to run successfully on Alteryx Server? The sync method I followed is in the link below and uses the regular Input Data tool (not the Sharepoint Connector tools). This method works great in Designer, however I wish I could get it working on Server. I have found the Sharepoint connector tools to be inefficient and I cannot satisfy all my uses cases with these tools. Using performance profiler, the SP connector takes 99% of processing time while the sync input is much more efficient. Anyways, if someone could share in detail if they know how to use the Sync on Server, I would appreciate it.

https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/How-To-Connect-to-Sharepoint-with-Alteryx

Input

Server

Sharepoint

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caltang

We have the same problem. I have been going back and forth with Alteryx on this, and the SharePoint tool has been making my Server life very difficult to scale.

bertal34

@caltang

Oh no, as Server admin for my organization, that's not what I wanted to hear. We have not started to transition workflows to Sharepoint yet however I'm trying to learn and understand how to connect to Sharepoint and what pitfalls we might encounter. Then relay those to other users and provide guidance on what tools to use in certain situations.

Can I ask what specifically about the SP tool is not working well with Server?

tbuenaflor

Bumping this thread since I've been pulling my hair on how to make Sharepoint connections work in Server as well. We have a connection string created to connect to a SharePoint site/page but I'm not clear on how to actually use this in our workflows. Do I have to create a separate connection string for each input and output file?

NaiLo

@abroscow I just saw this pop up on my feed after working with Alteryx support to get the tool to work. A couple of things:

1. The version of the tool that you use has to match your Alteryx Server version. See editions information here: https://marketplace.alteryx.com/en-US/apps/417982/sharepoint-tools/editions

2. For the version of Alteryx that we're using, we had to set up the right configurations for DCM. See this article for more details: https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/How-to-Set-up-DCM-for-Designer-and-Server
3. DCM had to be configured for both user settings on their individual designer, with credentials synchronized, AND we had to set up DCM on Alteryx Server

I'm not a pro with the configs, but happy that we got it to work this morning after several months of back and forth. I hope this gives you a clue for how to resolve the issue

bertal34

@abroscow

I did not find a way to use the Input Data tool on a Server workflow (to reference a Sharepoint file). My guidance to other users is: If the workflow needs to run on Server and the dependent file is saved on Sharepoint then you must use Sharepoint Connector Tools with DCM connection (following instruction @NaiLo provided).

Side Note: I have gotten the Input Data tool to work on Server for a file saved to OneDrive. OneDrive can sync Sharepoint folders/files. This worked by referencing the local folder on server (D:\Users\svcalteryx\OneDrive\FolderName\). However, this was not a permanent solution because OneDrive does not consistently run (in the background) on our Server. OneDrive only runs when a person is remoted into the Server.

On another note, We recently acquired Azure Files cloud storage space. Dependent files saved here can be referenced through a UNC address making it a seamless experience on both Designer & Server.

Let me know if questions or thoughts.

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