Batch Macro Parse Error

Question

I ran the workflow and received an error in macro. The data types have been changed in a select tool in the macro. I even manually checked the files to make sure the data types are correct in the input folder. the macro is working using the last month files but got the error using this month data. The files are in xsl format. Not sure if the issues with the new files and the folder. I have seen someone changed the setting to make macro compatibility with the main workflow before, but do not remember where to make the changes. Maybe there are other things I need to do to fix the issues. I appreciate if anyone could help.

TheOC · Accepted Answer

hey @EileenTX

The error suggests that you are doing a numeric formula on a string field. If it works the first time, then i would imagine that the file you are using to build it has the fields as a numeric, and Its possible that on reading the next file, its changing the type to a string.

I would suggest forcing the field to be a numeric. You can do this using a select tool using the 'forced' setting:
https://help.alteryx.com/20214/designer/select-tool#:~:text=Use%20the%20%5Bdata%20type%5D%3A%20Forced%20option%20to%20ensure%20a%20column%20always

Or, you can use tonumber([field]) in your formula.

https://help.alteryx.com/20214/designer/conversion-functions#:~:text=ToNumber(x%2C%20%5BbIgnoreErrors%5D,used%20as%20the%20decimal%20separator.

Both of these options will ensure the field is numeric for the formula.

Hope this helps, feel free to attach an example dataset with your macro, and i'd be happy to have a more in-depth look.

Cheers,
TheOC

EileenTX · Accepted Answer

@TheOC I figured it out. I changed one data type from V-String to V_Wstring Forced, and changed the setting in the interface designer. The error messages are gone. I think because the files are in xls format and each file has slightly different format with different data type, the macro needs to be updated accordingly.