Allow the DateTime tool to keep its configuration when copy-pasted

[TheOC]

When copying and pasting the datetime tool, or disconnecting its input, it loses its configuration. This can be really frustrating if it has an unusual formula, and can result in looking up the datatime functions again: https://help.alteryx.com/current/designer/datetime-functions and working out how to reconfigure the tool.

Steps to reproduce this issue:

1.  Set up datetime tool

2. Delete Input Connector:

3. Reconnect and notice the formula is missing and it has been reset to a completely fresh DateTime Tool:

Proposed solution:
The Datetime tool should remember the previous configuration, and go back to this when the input is deleted or it is copy pasted. It will then be able to be reconnected.



Steps in proposed solution:
1. Setup Datetime tool

2. Delete input Connector (Note the DateTime Config and Annotation Remaining, but still being not editable)

3. Reconnect the tool for it to still be configured for the data

[patrick_digan]

@TheOC I agree that something like this should be fixed. I have an idea here with various other tools that also lose their configuration: https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Ideas/Let-tools-group-by-selections-persist-when-c...

[TheOC]

hi @patrick_digan  nice spot! I actually didn't notice this was the case in a lot more than the datetime tool.

[KylieF]

Hi all!

Thank you for the feedback, in both idea on all these tools! We appreciate the thorough description on what's occurring and on the desired behavior as it helps our product team full grasp needs of the users. If you haven't yet be sure to check out our Submission Guidelines and be sure to like any other ideas that would be beneficial to you.