Alteryx SQL Editor adding spaces before and after dashes

[NawfalMahmood]

Hello everyone,

I am copying a previously opened thread, since I am encountering the exact the same issue, I just updated the version of Alteryx Desktop, the link is provided below:

Alteryx changes my sql code by adding spaces before and after dash/hypen.

Step 1 I put this functioning workflow into the SQL Editor:

Select *

from `alpha-data-main-bfg.D6_FACT_MAC.WJ_BT_APPLES`

(works great)

Step 2.  Click on the Visual Query Builder and add/remove columns / change anything.   

Then click back on SQL Editor and my code has changed to 

Select *

from `alpha - data - main - bfg.D6_FACT_MAC.WJ_BT_APPLES`

(spaces added before and after dashes)

Now my query won't run and gives error messages indicating that the data source doesn't exist.  

So i have to go back in and find/replace to remove the spaces Alteryx added. 

Is this a known problem with a solution? 

I'm on Version: 2021.3.4.00445

Previous thread: https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Alteryx-SQL-Editor-adding-spac...

[rzdodson]

@NawfalMahmood from what I am tracking to, I encounter similar issues as well. I typically utilize Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio to write the preponderance of my SQL query, and then copying and pasting it in to an Input or In-DB tool afterwards. It staves off Alteryx's Query builder from adding or removing underscores from the query language and enables it to run without issue.

[apathetichell]

I do this via text input tool and dynamic input in-db (usually in a batch macro with some changing parameter) but same idea... 

[NawfalMahmood]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Unfortunately, I dont utilize Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. I am hoping to find a fix within Alteryx, not sure if this is a bug or there is a reason behind it.

[NawfalMahmood]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I am not using in-db tool, hopefully there is a solution for regular data input tool.

[rzdodson]

@NawfalMahmood I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that is just how the SQL Query Builder is. If you must use it (i.e. the organization does not have a data dictionary which tells you what fields are what) then use the Query Builder. Then, once you have selected all of your fields, copy/paste that over to some word processor (Word, Notepad) and then change the table name through a CTRL+F + Replace. Once the query is converted to what it ought to be, you can copy/paste it back in your query builder window. Once that restructured query is loaded, your workflow should run without issues.

[Feastie]

Hi all,

I am having a similar issue with spaces being added to code, resulting in an error.

My code works at first:

"AND  TMP1.[Row_Num] = (SELECT TMP1.[Row_Num]-2
FROM TMP1
WHERE TMP1.[Date] = CAST(GETDATE() as DATE))"

but, if you open the editor, it changes to:

"AND  TMP1.[Row_Num] = (SELECT TMP1.[Row_Num] - 2
FROM TMP1
WHERE TMP1.[Date] = CAST(GETDATE() as DATE))"

All that changes, are the additional spaces of the minus two.

This however, results in the code not working.

I have tried putting brackets around various parts, but the same happens.

Any thoughts??

Thanks, Phil.

[Feastie]

Obviously this is part of a larger code sequence!