Dynamic input not respecting data sort

Question

Hey all,

We have a data set that's used to drive a dynamic input (process upstream figures out ranges of primary keys, and then sends them downstream to the dynamic input).   However - no matter how I sort this data before it hits the dynamic input, the dynamic input is still processing these rows out of sequence.

We've done this sort in many ways to stress test this - regular sort component; pushed it out to SQL using inDB and then brought it back sorted;  sorted by different fields and then re-sorted;  used unique components; block until done etc, but this doesn't change this behaviour.   If I stop the process, I can see that the data set is correctly sorted going into the dynamic input, but the results coming up (in the results window) show that they are being processed out of order.

Is this a deliberate, designed behaviour, and if so - does anyone know a way to disable this?   If this is a defect or potential defect, happy to see if we can replicate this on a smaller scale and strip out sensitive bits.

Cheers

Sean

Ned · Accepted Answer

The dynamic input tool removes duplicates in order to not run the same query multiple times.  In order to do that, it sorts on the field that you are modifying your query with.  So yes, it is by design.

unknown · Accepted Answer

You can build your own tool (batch macro) - create an input tool and have a control parameter going to it which would be your input file coming from a directory or list of DB tables. That should keep the sort order then instead of having the native-Alteryx tool overwriting your sort.

Ned · Accepted Answer

The batch macro is the way to go.  That gives you much more control of how things run.  I'm not sure the DynamicInput tool would exist if it hadn't pre-dated batch macros by a bunch of versions.