Parse error: an operator must be between operands

[citronmelisa]

Hi everyone! 

I am having trouble with understanding how quotes are working in alteryx designer. 

I want to be able to change table name 'the_table_name' to some value I input in text box. 
If action tool is configured to update entire value and value is input in quotes, e.g., 'this_is_the_table_name', then it works fine. 
If I want to replace a specific string (in this case everything in quotes, so in text box I do not have to use quotes) then I get the error parse error at ..., an operator must be between operands. 

I am stumped. Would love advice or an explanation.

[DataNath · Accepted solution]

Hey @citronmelisa, when you tick to Replace a specific string, you need to define only the part that you want to swap out with your Text Box input value. If you don't change anything then by default, Alteryx will swap out everything including the quotes, whereas you need to maintain the quotes. Therefore, you just need to delete these from the ends and keep what is inside as the replacement target in your Action tool.

By default:

Removed quotes:

Now when I run the app, it'll populate with whatever I type in:

If I view this run in Debug mode, you can see that, by specifying the part of the string to replace (i.e. everything but the quotes), Alteryx now only swaps out the the_table_name part of the Formula expression.

Hope this helps - if you need any further help or if this wasn't your issue then please do shout up!

[citronmelisa]

Thank you, @DataNath, I got it now!
Great explanation.

Best, 
citronmelisa