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Chained workflows on Server passing user selected values

KMiller
8 - Asteroid

Hi all, some help with this issue would be appreciated.

 

We have two chained workflows on Server that allow users to make selections via drop down and list box options. Workflow one’s selection is output as a temp file in a location on the server box. Workflow two then picks up workflow one’s output to drive the list box options available to the user in workflow two.

 

This type of chaining scenario is straight forward when created in Designer as there is only ever one runner in Designer. The problem on Server is that two people can run the workflow at the same or similar time, and therefore overwrite each other’s temp selection files, making the results erroneous.

 

To date I have tried the following to resolve this:

 

Use __cloud:UserId to identify the Server user and then create output files from workflow one that are unique to the user. The problem I have here is that with workflow two, I can’t see how to make the External Source for the list box dynamically update to the Server user’s bespoke selection file, using their Server id.

 

KMiller_0-1602589269545.png

 

 

I have then tried an alternative route to feed the values to the list box from a connected tool in workflow two using the user’s selection file. However, I discovered this method does not actually dynamically update with the values supplied from the input file at runtime. It just shows the values from the last time this workflow was run as a short cut to manually writing out all the options during development. I thought I might be able to run workflow two initially to load the user’s selection file options (without presenting the list box interface) and then running it again with the list box interface so the user can make their 2nd selection, but again I cant see how to do this.

 

KMiller_1-1602589269548.png

 

 

Does anyone have any suggestions to make either of the above cases work or any alternative solutions would be appreciated.

 

FYI I don’t think a tree tool will work in this situation either due to the hierarchy of the child options driven by workflow one’s selections. I.e. workflow two’s options can sometimes be duplicated across workflow one’s parent options and there will sometimes be a need to pick tree level two options without first having to open up all tree level one options and making multiple identical selections for tree level two.

 

Thanks.

 

Kevin

4 REPLIES 4
mbarone
16 - Nebula
16 - Nebula

Hi @KMiller ,

Yes, I have many apps that do the exact same thing.  For the file that App #1 creates (to be used for that user in App #2), is send it up to the Gallery with App #1 as an asset.  If you do that, every time a user runs the app, it will create their own file in their own temp space in the Gallery at the time of run.  So 10 people can run it at the same time and all 10 people will get their own temp file for just that one run.

 

 

KMiller
8 - Asteroid

Hi @mbarone 

 

Thanks for the reply. Could you expand on the configurations required for the outputs from workflow 1 and the list box in the 2nd workflow to pick up the users bespoke file. Or if you have an example you could share with me that would be even better.

 

Thanks.

 

Kevin

atcodedog05
22 - Nova
22 - Nova

Hi @KMiller 

 

Give the solutions of this weekly challenge a try it might help you. There are some walkthrough videos also.

 

This challenge was on chained app which takes input from previous workflow.

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Weekly-Challenge/Challenge-218-Car-Sales-Reporting/td-p/580155

 

Hope this helps 🙂

mbarone
16 - Nebula
16 - Nebula

Sure.

 

In App #1, I have this output file:
2020-10-13 11_15_17-Clipboard.png

 

In App #2, I use that output file in a Tree Tool:
2020-10-13 11_23_27-Clipboard.png

 

When I save App #1 to the Gallery, I send App #2 with it (of course), but also send the file above via the Manage Assets dialogue:
2020-10-13 11_20_38-Clipboard.png