Best way to concatenate fields names/crate join key, in an alteryx APP

[wonka1234]

Hi,

I am trying to create a tool that will allow the user to browse files, concatenate headers, thus creating a  join key, then join on this key.

Is this possible to do? 

In designer it would be something like using the formula to create a new field and just do : Field 1 + Field2 + Field3.

Can this somehow be replicated in an analytic app so it can be exposed on the server?

Thanks.

[Robin_McIntosh]

@wonka1234 - Something like this to start with?  The user selects the input file and then the headers (field names) are concatenated together.  You'd then continue on with the workflow as needed.

[wonka1234]

@Robin_McIntosh  thanks robin. However I should be more clear, i would like to concatenate entire columns not just header names.

Ie

First	Last
Louis	Stevens

to

FirstLast

LouisStevens

[Robin_McIntosh · Accepted solution]

@wonka1234 - Added a second flow off the input that I think matches what you need.  You can obviosuly update the Summarize Concatenation to remove/change the underscore.

[wonka1234]

@Robin_McIntosh  this is great - how can I dynamically choose which fields to concat? im assuming an interface tool at the transpose?

[Robin_McIntosh]

@wonka1234 - I think that would require a chained app as you'd have to get a listing of the field names (headers) to populate a chekbox list for the user to select which ones to concatenate.  However, if the headers will always be the same for any file selected, then yes you'd be able to set that up without having to do a chained app.  Is this case where the headers will always be the same?

[wonka1234]

@Robin_McIntosh  headers will change! but i have a chained app actually setup! So just to update the transpose tool accordingly would seem to be what i need.

[wonka1234]

@Robin_McIntosh  ohh are you saying i need a chained app cuz id need to do this?

[Robin_McIntosh]

@wonka1234 - Yes.  Since the fields can differ from file to file, you'd need a chained app to pick up the field names from the selected file.

[wonka1234]

@Robin_McIntosh  can this be done in the same workflow somehow? like a block until done , then read in the new headers?