Action Tools not Updating Tools within a Control Containers

I have a batch macro that passes values created in a workflow via a Formula Tool. When this workflow run with the tools in the macro in a Control Container, the Action Tools have no effect on the query which is inside a Connect In-DB tool. The macro has multiple Control Containers to control the sequence that the multiple queries run. I tested the macro by taking one of the queries out of the Control Container and all updates where made.

So, I have these questions:

1. Is there some sort of explicit prohibition to Action Tools updating tools inside a Control Container?

2. Does some else also seen this and have a way to make this work?

Batch Macro

Accepted answers

alexnajm

That's right - I hated that conflict in 2024.1. It does get fixed in newer versions!

Here are screenshots in a row showing that action tools can update in-db tools in control containers 👍

Screenshot 2025-10-09 151930.png

Screenshot 2025-10-09 152009.png

Screenshot 2025-10-09 151958.png

All comments

alexnajm

There should not be - can you show us your configurations?

mattjacobs

@alexnajm Can you clarify what it is you would like me to share? Thank you.

alexnajm

@mattjacobs ideally your workflow, but otherwise screenshots of your tool configurations

mattjacobs

Unfortunately I cannot post the full workflow, just the previously shared screen shot (proprietary code). I have attached the config screen shots.

Runtime Config.png

Workflow Config.png

alexnajm

@mattjacobs apologies, but we'll need screenshots of the tool configurations (i.e. the Action tool) - otherwise I am trying to build a workflow to illustrate that Action tools shouldn't be affected by Control Containers

mattjacobs

I added a screen shot of an Action Tool, they all are doing the same basic thing, changing a specific string, either within a query in a Connect In-DB tool or the table name in the Write In-DB tool.

Action Tool Config.png

alexnajm

Thank you for the screenshot - that looks correct to me. My quick batch macro to update a Connect In-DB tool worked just fine for me and looks very similar to your screenshot

Can you use the Debug and see if the value changes? You can input a test value and see if it replaces the 2301 in your screenshot: Debug Workflow

Action Tools not Updating Tools within a Control Containers.yxmc

mattjacobs

Thank you for the suggestion. It seems that Debug does not work yet in macros with Control Containers (see screen shot). Also seems you are using a newer version of Designer, I'm on 2024.1, so not sure if that is something that is fixed in a newer version.

Debug Error Message.png

alexnajm

That's right - I hated that conflict in 2024.1. It does get fixed in newer versions!

Here are screenshots in a row showing that action tools can update in-db tools in control containers 👍

Screenshot 2025-10-09 151930.png

Screenshot 2025-10-09 152009.png

Screenshot 2025-10-09 151958.png

mattjacobs

Ah OK, so I may just need to use a work around for now, but may be can get back to this once my org gets an updated version. Thank you. May I ask what your version you are on, and maybe I can press my org to get there faster?

alexnajm

I'm on 25.1, and Debug with Control Containers was introduced in 24.2

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