Schedule(Deploy) a batch macro which runs containers sequentially, to the Alteryx Server

Question

I have a Crew runner macro which I use to run different containers in my workflow sequentially one after the other.

Screenshot of the macro is below.  When I click run, the containers execute one after the other without any issues, but however, I wanted to publish this to the Alteryx server. When I try to publish this to the server, it is getting saved as a .yxmc file and I am unable to run a “Macro” directly on the server.

I tried to create a dummy workflow , just to trigger execution of this macro. But this does not help

The intention is basically I wanted to execute the Macro shown in the first image from the server and schedule it. That macro is just used to run the containers sequentially. Is there a better way to this or to convert the .yxmc file as a .yxmd file.

annamalaimoorthy · Answer

Hi @danilang ,

I tried to publish the main workflow to the server, and run it from ther server. But however, it still did not trigger the Macro. It just processed the dummy inputs.

Can you advise on how do I make my workflow to trigger the macro ? Thanks

danilang · Answer

Hi @annamalaimoorthy

When you run a macro in Designer, Alteryx is ignoring the control parameter that you have in place, and just running the workflow as it is using whatever inputs you have as templates.  This is really just so that you can check if the logic is working properly in the default case.  The normal state for a macro is to be embedded in a main workflow and have it's input parameters modified by the main workflow.   The Alteryx server won't allow you to run a macro, because the input parameters have no connection.

When you added the macro to a dummy workflow, you've provided the engine with values to be fed into the macro's inputs.  If you move the main workflow to the server, the embedded macro will run when the main workflow is triggered.

Dan