Field rename from field description (macro)

[kat]

Hi all

We have data that always comes out of a system with code names as field names, with the real name sitting in the field description. Fairly easy to fix with field info & dynamic rename. Wanted to package this into a macro for everyone to use. Having an issue though that the names keep reverting to the original ones while one works. One then needs to continuously rerun the workflow to get the names 'live'. How do I force the macro to correctly carry the metadata?

Thanks!

[MarqueeCrew]

Hi @kat,

Please try the macro with a few tweaks.  I make sure that the description has a length to it and when it isn't present, I use the Name.

Cheers,

Mark

[kat]

@MarqueeCrew, thanks. 

I don't think I explained this very well. All my fields have a field description. This issue comes in that while building the workflow, the fieldnames revert back to the code name. I can place about one tool after the run until they break. I then need to run the workflow to update the field names to keep working. That's quite annoying...

It's not an issue when I use the tools outside of a macro though. So my thinking was that because the macro input doesn't have field descriptions they might get lost.

[Claje · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Inside your macro, when you open the Interface Designer (View->Interface Designer or Ctrl+Alt+D), under the Settings screen (wrench icon), there is a check box "Output fields change based on macro's configuration or data input".  Try checking that box and save your macro and see if that helps.  It worked for me in this case, although I have had some complex macros where it does not always solve this issue.

[MarqueeCrew]

That sounds like a good thing to try!

[kat]

Thanks @Claje, looks like it's working!

[RPattle]

Now i am facing same issue by changing field name with field description. Can you please anyone help with solution.

Below is the field info details from Xtract Universal tool

Getting data by field name, but i need to rename with my description. ( I have 100's of fields)

Finally i need to data with description header like below.

[kat]

Hi @RPattle - there's are some very useful tools for this! Check out Dynamic Rename tool and field info. You need to extract the description with dynamic rename and then use dynamic rename to rename your fields. Something like this:

dynamic rename configtool order

[RPattle]

Thanks @kat .. Its working !!