Error: "Can't run the workflow there is no connection to the designer. There is no file cached on the system. The workflow can not be run.

[PaulTa]

Environment Details

If you are trying to publish your workflow on your Alteryx Gallery (assuming the Alteryx Server is not hosted on the same machine), you will get this error message: 
 

Can't run the workflow there is no connection to the designer. There is no file cached on the system, the workflow can not be run.

 

• Alteryx Designer
  • All versions
• ODBC data source

Cause

The behavior seems to be intermittent and creates an extra XML tag to prompt the user to enter their credentials when a connection is established to a database via DSN using an Input Data tool.

While trying to validate the workflow, the Alteryx Engine won't be able to find either the cached file (if you have ticked the box) or reach the credential stored within the DSN hence the error occurs.

Resolution

You would need to remove the XML tag "<AskAQuestion>...</AskAQuestion>" prior to publishing your workflow, run it locally to verify you do not get errors or prompts, and then publish your workflow.





If you are not able to see the XML feature in Designer, you can follow the steps in this article to enable it.

Additional Resources

• Tool Configuration
• XML View of Workflows
• How to connect to an ODBC data source

 

[James_First_Mile]

@PaulTa - thanks for sharing this workaround. Is there an active ticket associated with this bug whereby users won't come across this issue in a future release?

[PaulTa]

Hey @James_First_Mile, 

This "problem" seems to be very rare and particular to a use case if you come across it please send a case support@alteryx.com so we can check further.

Many thanks,

Paul 

[James_First_Mile]

Thanks Paul. We did encounter this again recently. I will share the case with support for investigation.