Cloud Quests
Elevate your workflow skills by solving real-world challenges using the Alteryx Analytics Cloud Platform.
Hi Maveryx,
We posted the solution JSON file to Cloud Quest #5. Check it out and let us know what you think! Send suggestions to academy@alteryx.com or leave a comment below.
Let’s dive into this week's quest!
Download the provided JSON start file and upload it into your Analytics Cloud library. For more detailed instructions on how to import and export Designer Cloud workflow files, check out the pinned article .
Scenario:
This week’s quest revolves around data provided about standardized math exams administered in New York City Public Schools from 2013 to 2019. Download the provided district_math_results.csv dataset and reconnect it in your starting workflow file. Ensure that the Interpret Column Datatypes checkbox is not selected in the Input Data tool options. The dataset includes details on the district, grade, year, category (male/female); the number of students who took the test; and the percentage of students who achieved each level, with Level 4 being the highest.
You have two tasks:
- Calculate the change, by district, in the percentage of 8th grade female students who achieved a Level 4 score in 2019 compared to 2013.
- Identify the top three districts that showed the most significant improvement in the Level 4 percentage over the same period.
Hint: Configure the Cross Tab tool to create a new column based on the Year field, labeling the columns as Year 2013 and Year 2019. The Level 4 percentage should serve as the value for these columns, using the Use First Value method. Ensure the data is grouped by District.
A combination of the Sample, Filter, Cross Tab, Formula, and Select tools should solve your problem, but not necessarily in this sequence.
If you find yourself struggling with any of the tasks, feel free to explore these interactive lessons in the Maveryx Academy for guidance:
- Getting Started with Designer Cloud
- Building Connections in Designer Cloud
- Building Your Workflow in Designer Cloud
Once you have completed your quest, go back to your Analytics Cloud library. Download your workflow solution file. Include your JSON file and workflow screenshot as attachments to your comment.
Here’s to a successful quest!
Here is my solution
I am flying with these.
I then used a Summarise tool to create groupings of District, Year and Level 4 Percentage.
From there I simply sorted into the correct order and cross-tabbed to create a row per district, with the Percentage of Level 4 split into columns. It was then a matter of calculating the difference between the two.
For task two, it was a simple sort and sample to highlight the top three.
Another quest completed!
Things I liked
- Sorting built directly into the "Sample tool
Things I didn't like:
- The lack of the "Cross-Tab" tools ability to dynamically pick up changes to columns. For example, if I decided I wanted to compare two different years, I would have to click "Reset" in the cross-tab tool to pick up the additional columns
