Batch macro disconnects from next tool on open

[Luke_C]

Hi everyone,

I noticed some behavior in one of my workflows and I'm curious if anyone has come across this or has any idea why this might be happening. My workflow uses a pretty simple batch macro to read in a few thousand small CSV files. The batch macro is then connected to a formula tool. Occasionally when I open the workflow the connection between the batch macro and formula tool is gone and I need to reconnect before running. I don't have any concrete steps to reproduce and it seems to happen intermittently. Curious if anyone's seen this behavior or has any thoughts on why this could be happening?

Unfortunately I can't share the whole workflow but can try to come up with a simpler version if that'd be helpful.

[mceleavey]

Hi @Luke_C ,

Without seeing it it's going to be difficult, but you can check the following:

1. Does your batch macro have an error until you run it? For example, are you referencing something in your batch macro that doesn't exist in the macro input, but exists when it runs? If so, it won't be able to render the output until you fix this.

2. Have you checked the "Disable Auto Configure" option in your user settings:

Have a look at those things first, then we can dig further.

M.

[Luke_C]

Hi @mceleavey 

Thanks for the response, the macro has no errors and I don't have 'Disable Auto Configure' checked. Here are some screenshots of the set-up, there's nothing that crazy about the macro. The fix is as easy as reconnecting the tools. This is more of a shot in the dark because I haven't nailed down steps to reproduce, hoping that someone has run into this before. Definitely seems like a potentially weird bug given that it opens fine about 90% of the time. 

[mceleavey]

@Luke_C ,

yeah, it's a weird one.

Is it physically removing the connecting line from the output of the macro to the formula tool?

Have you tried my tool for doing this? I've attached it. This uses a slightly different method in that it uses the Dynamic Input tool but overwrites the template dynamically to be itself (so the template always matches the file).

Try that and see if the problem persists. If not, then it narrows it down.

What version are you running?

M.

[Luke_C]

@mceleavey 

Yeah it's physically removing the connecting line between the macro and the formula which I've never seen before. I'm on 2020.4. I'll play around with your macro, given the inconsistency this is occurring it'll be tough to say if it prevents it from happening but I appreciate you taking a look!

[mceleavey]

No problem, sorry I can't figure this one out, it's the inconsistency that's confusing me.

If it's broken, great, if it works, great. If it sometimes works and sometimes doesn't for no apparent reason and actually disconnects from the following tool automatically, then I say we should take off and nuke it from orbit.

M.

[YEM]

I'm also having this issue.

Version 2021.1.

Only one workflow has the issue.

It seems to only happen after I reboot my PC.  So if I connect the macro to the next tool, save, close Alteryx, re-open Alteryx, open the workflow, everything seems to be fine.  But each morning when I boot up, it opens the workflow in a state where the macro is not connected the next tool.

When I have a few hours to run the Alteryx installer, I'll upgrade.