Output Tool Difference Between Append Existing and Update

[Cferrer6]

Hello, 

Can anyone tell me the difference between outputting using append existing versus update

and how does Alteryx know if its new for update (insert if new)

screen shot attached

[Maskell_Rascal · Accepted solution]

Hi @Cferrer6 

So the Append option does exactly what you think. It just pastes the data on to the bottom of the table regardless of whether that data is duplicate of something already in the existing table. 

Update Insert if New uses a primary key or identifier to find and update anything in the table with the output of your workflow but will also add additional rows if they don't exist. 

Here is a good resource explaining how to create primary keys: https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Knowledge-Base/Create-Database-Table-Primary-Key-i...

Cheers!

Phil

[Cferrer6]

thank you so much!