Alteryx Needs some Cable Management!

[npariso]

Hi everyone! I have been trying to find a way to do this without creating a new idea, but I have decided to make it an official 'Idea' to see if there is anyone else that might appreciate a feature like this (or has found there own way to do it!)

Do your workflows look like this...

but you wish they could look like this?

Well... they can with your help!

Okay, I might be crazy...but its worth a shot.

While I understand this is an extremely niche issue, in my experience, it can become very difficult to trace the data through unmanaged lines in large workflows. I think it will be great to cable manage canvas lines so workflows are easier to follow. Heck, while I am already at it, I think it we should all start calling these canvas lines cables... They don't carry electricity, but they sure do carry data!

Here is an example I created in Alteryx using select tools and containers:

[gautiergodard]

This is a cool approach to a common problem!

This enhancement combined with some cable color coding (so you don't accidentally cut a wire that sets off an explosion) would be a great idea!

[alexnajm]

Love this idea!

[Chris-Nienart]

When organizing physical cables (such as audio wires), a common solution is called a "cable snake". 🐍

In the spirit of that name, can we have some fun with the terminology and concept?

• The connected area between the incoming and outgoing connections is the snake's body.
• Incoming connections enter via the snake's mouth.
• Outgoing connections exit via the snake's tail.

And while we're at it, let's make the snake body green!

Here are a few more pictures for inspiration.

Come on Alteryx, you can do it! :)

[aatalai]

Also could there be a possibility for users to choose colours to help organise it how they want?

[EJ5916]

I would also like the ability to document a line.  Like in Visio, you can add a comment that anchors to the line so when your boxes move the comment attached to the line moves with it. 

[alexnajm]

@EJ5916 you can write on any line by clicking on it and changing the name in the configuration panel! It's not a "comment" but should at least give you something 😊

[NicoleJ]

We love this idea! Stay tuned!