[#1]

[cwkoops]

I often see [#1] used as a variable name in applications related to macros, apps, interface tools, etc.  An example is in the solution of the Weekly Challenge 118.  At times, I've even used them successfully, but without fully understanding....

Can someone please point me to a resource or explain the origination and use of variables such as [#1]? 

[Luke_C · Accepted solution]

Hi @cwkoops 

It refers to the connection string in instances where a tool has multiple inputs, i.e. a union. You can even rename them by clicking on them and updating in order to be a bit more clear.

[atcodedog05 · Accepted solution]

Hi @cwkoops 

@Luke_C has given a good explanation. Here is some Alteryx documentation page on them

Interactive lesson - Refer naming connection string section : https://help.alteryx.com/current/designer/connection-configuration 

Documentation page - Refer connection name section : https://help.alteryx.com/current/designer/connection-configuration 

Hope this helps 🙂

[danilang · Accepted solution]

Hi @cwkoops 

It's most often used with interactive tools as in the example below(from the first example in Weekly Challenge #118)

The [#1] in the filter represents the value being passed in from the Control Parameter interface tool that's connected to the Q anchor.  This batch macro would iterate once for each row passed into the control parameter, with the [#1] in the filter criteria replaced with the current row value on each iteration.  If you have multiple interface tools connected to the Q anchor, the connectors will be sequentially numbered, so your criteria could be something like [FullPath]=[#1] And [LastModifiedDate]>=[#2] 

Dan