We Need a Dynamic Comment Tool

[DavidKennedy]

I've seen a few older threads on this but wanted to bring it up again.

I have numerous workflows in which I have built in "fail safes" to prevent passing bad data out to downstream databases/reports.  I have Message tools that provide a specific message on whether the fail safe was triggered or the new/refreshed data was passed through.  The problem with the Message tool is that it is very easy for the message to get lost in the myriad log results so you don't automatically see it.  The same is true for using the Browse tool to view a dynamic and more easy-to-read message/result, you still have to make the overt decision to click the Browse tool to review the result/message.  

Admittingly, on their own, these "issues" seem minor.  However, when running multiple workflows as part of a group or on a regular basis, some of which can be very large and complex, its easy for these "minor issues" to become major inconveniences to utilize as they are intended or they just get lost in the static of everything that happens when a workflow runs.

Having something similar to a Report Text tool that can render an image and formula-driven text/conditions (font and background color controls) directly and conspicuously on the canvas would be AWESOME and go a long way to providing immediate/easy-to-see information regarding the results of the workflow.

I ask/encourage the Alteryx team to explore providing this capability.

[acotta17]

Hi DavidKennedy, 

Just providing an alternative — have you considered using a Formula tool to generate status messages based on output conditions, such as the tool name and a custom success or error message, and then route them through a Filter tool. 
You could then append these messages to an Output File for tracking or use the he Email tool.
This approach would help keeping everything in one place. 

[alexnajm]

For maximum visibility, post this on the Ideas page!

[DavidKennedy]

Thanks for the suggestion @acotta17 .

I actually have several workflows that do similar things, essentially sending a "results" email with an attachment or table in the body of the email.  That works but with the email having to work its way through our network it can sometimes take a minute or two, or sometimes longer, to arrive in my inbox.  This gets to be a problem when I have several workflows to run in a series.

I also have workflows that use a filter tool to identify certain scenarios that could be problematic or otherwise indicate that there were a problem in the data.  For me, the issue with this is, though it works, it requires me to find the specific tool and click the output to view it in the log or in a Browse tool.  That's quite cumbersome when dealing with large workflows with a lot of tools in them or that have a lot of steps in the log and messages, even Errors, can get lost in the shuffle.

To me, something more prominent and actually on the canvas would be far better.