Alteryx output tool and excel output related issue

Question

Hi All, I am trying to paste an output from Alteryx to an .xlsm file(In a particular range say A1:K11). This sheet which has some data validation list(highlighted in the screenshot - H12). Once the output is pasted, I can see that the data validation list disappears in that particular sheet. Not sure whether this is some tool limitation or if there is any workaround to solve this issue. Have anyone faced any issue like this?

Suruthimaitr · Answer

Hi @TheOC,

Thank you for your reply! When I try copy pasting my data manually in excel, the data validation is retained. The issue is just that when the output is written through alteryx, the validation part goes off.

Note: The data validation is  list based. And has no relation with the data I paste through alteryx. The source for the data validation is from the same workbook and different sheet

Can you try doing the same usecase of mine?

Like creating a simple list data validation in a sheet and try pasting the output in the same sheet through alteryx.

Thanks,

Shruthi

Suruthimaitr · Answer

Hi Oc,

Thank you for your reply! When I try copy pasting my data manually in excel, the data validation is retained. The issue is just that when the output is written through alteryx, the validation part goes off.

Note: The data validation is  list based. And has no relation with the data I paste through alteryx. The source for the data validation is from the same workbook and different sheet

Can you try doing the same usecase of mine?

Like creating a simple list data validation in a sheet and try pasting the output in the same sheet through alteryx.

Thanks,

Shruthi

TheOC · Answer

hi @Suruthimaitr

From a personal view i would recommend moving manual excel processes to Alteryx.

However, i have managed to recreate your issue in excel, and have been able to maintain the validation by ensuring the cell is open:
(screenshot of validation of the cell ensuring input is whole number 1-5):

(Screenshots of my pasting when the cell is selected, which replaces the cell and removes the validation):

This is the same if you  copy and paste from anywhere in Excel, too. I dont believe this is an Alteryx issue. (https://stackoverflow.com/questions/54342866/not-following-data-validation-rules-during-copy-paste-event-in-excel#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20data%20validation,cell%20that%20has%20data%20validation.&text=It's%20the%20same%20if%20you,t%20check%20the%20data%20too).)

The way to solve this, is to double click the cell first, and then copy paste:

I hope this makes any sense - effectively this is an issue with excel and copy pasting anyway.

Hope this helps,
TheOC