Moving all workflows and macros to a new workstation best practice

[anthony]

Hi, anyone have any experience moving all of your workflows and macros to a new machine? My new workstation is on its way and I just need to think through this move.

I have heard that the macro links in worflows can break if not careful and I use a lot of macros so this could be a major headache.

What is the process to move everything to avoid issues?

I plan on coping all macros to the new macro directory and I am hoping to replicate file paths on new machine by creating the same user windows.

Thanks for an insights.

Anthony

[michael_treadwell · Accepted solution]

Macro links in workflows can break if you are not careful. Macros inside of a workflow are referenced by their path. The easiest way to avoid these issues is to store workflows and their dependencies (file inputs, supporting macros, etc.) in a common structured directory. This way, you can use relative path references that will allow you to move entire directories with no dependency issues.

See the articles here to better understand relative paths in workflows:

http://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Knowledge-Base/How-To-Properly-Use-Relative-Paths/ta-p/1160

http://help.alteryx.com/9.5/ModuleDependencies.htm

If you want to quickly manage workflow dependencies in Alteryx 10, choose Options -> Advanced Options -> Workflow Dependencies

Unfortunately, if your modules are not already setup this way it can be tedious work to organize them before a move (though I would encourage you to do so because it will save you hassle in the long run).

However, if you want to make sure that every package gets shipped out with it's dependencies you could also package each workflow which creates a .yxzp file containing all necessary dependencies. See the 'Exporting Workflows' section here:

http://help.alteryx.com/10.0/ModulePackager.htm

[anthony]

Thanks, I am so not looking forward to this.

[anthony]

Ok, think the worst and never be disappointed....

I kept the same machine and user name, pointed to new macro directory(same path as old one) and my google drive synced to my new computer and almost everything works with the exception of my cache files from the cache macro - just need to move over to my new drive and should be all set.

6 second is cut down to 5 seconds on small workflows - can't wait to see PCIe SSD and 32gb of ram at work.