Engine Works

Under the hood of Alteryx: tips, tricks and how-tos.
TaraM
Alteryx Alumni (Retired)

Looking for this?

 toolpostersmall.png

 

 

If you went to Inspire 2017 you probably picked up The Periodic Table of Alteryx tools, but only 100 of you were able to take home a laminated one. One of our ACEs, @Ken_Black, even got his autographed! That was a first for me. And then @Joe_Mako had me autograph my Icons of Alteryx Community card. You guys sure know how to make a girl feel special.

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Back to the table. This is something I have wanted to do for a really long time and have even considered it for the last 5 or so Inspires. I had a conversation with my friend, @NeilR, who mentioned that he was classifying the predictive tools into a cheat sheet to better understand when and why you use them. He had a technology track speaking slot at this Inspire and I thought, not only would this content make a great side B, I finally had outside pressure to do this project and get it done for the conference.

 

Even in this year’s planning, it got pushed to the back burner as the number of assets I had already committed to (and even more I hadn’t) started piling up. I decided if I was going to do it, Memorial Day Weekend was going to be the time.

 

Ordering tools in the table

 

How should the Alteryx tools be ordered? The standard periodic table (of elements) is a tabular arrangement of the chemical elements, ordered by their atomic number (number of protons). Of course Alteryx tools do not have protons. When I would discuss the periodic table with others, the first thing they would say was ‘oh, are you going to put them in their tool categories?’ This confused me, because they are already separated into tool categories in the product and in the Help documentation. Tool category is prevalent in the icon itself, so it seemed redundant to me to call it out in the table. I thought tool usage was a far more interesting way to lay them out, so I started there.

 

I got the tool count data from @BenG and I joined it to the DefaultSettings.xml file and the Macros directory that installs with Alteryx. Once I had the list of tools and their counts, I needed to decide the classifications.

 

ToolPosterWorkflow.png

 

Classifying Tools

 

There are many things that are interesting about Alteryx tools. Each having a specific function, an engaging front end, yet mysterious backend, I sought to simplify down to specific, less-obvious categories. I posted in our Alteryx Associates discussion board on community, asking for suggestions on interesting ways to classify tools. The responses included:

 

  • Connection anchors
  • Sorting tool (blocking tool)
  • Multi/single threaded
  • Tool vs macro
  • Embedded select
  • Formula editor
  • Tools that change table schemas
  • Ability to write/edit files
  • Tools that are used for automation
  • Tools with interactive outputs
  • Tools that separate the data or classify

 

I set up a call on Friday morning with @AdamR_AYX to do a quick run through with me. He helped me decide what to concentrate on in the list above. We decided embedded select and formula editor were probably not necessary, and instead to focus on the classification of how tools affect your workflow: macro vs tool, tools that require a data install, tools that are optimized by a data install, and this concept of blocking tools, conditional blocking tools and whether tools are multithreaded or not. After 30 minutes with Adam, I had enough data to get started.

 

How I built the table

 

I had every intention of using Alteryx for this and I do think it is possible to. It is just a table after all, but I had several obstacles (mostly in the waythere must be over a thousand layers in here!there must be over a thousand layers in here! of asset management) and time was not on my side. I knew that if I couldn’t figure it out in Alteryx, the time I had put into it would mean I couldn’t do it at all. So, I am slightly disappointed to say I quickly went to plan B and built it in Photoshop.

 

I have 2 Photoshop files. One file set up to build each tool – each tool is comprised of its own element table and its layers in a folder – 170 folders. Then I would slide that folder into the template file and put it into position. This was repeated 170 times (plus every time I made a mistake, so probably 3045 times).

giphy (4).gif

 

Yes, there was a lot of repetition, but it was a fascinating exercise. It was really cool to see what tool came next and what set it apart. By Tuesday I had a rough draft that I could pass around and get feedback on. And I received A LOT of feedback!

 

I was lucky enough to have @Ned drop by on a different topic. I handed him a paper copy and asked what he thought. He pulled up a chair and we geeked out for the next 60 minutes or so, looking at each and every tool – we discussed blocking vs multithreaded and the fact that most people do not understand why multithreading matters. We scaled back the multithreading classification to only include it on the tools that will utilize each CPU in the stack.

 

After my time with Ned I went back to my monster Photoshop files and made some changes. He also encouraged me to classify the Interface and Documentation tools as tools where no records pass.

 

What does it all mean?

ToolPosterLegend.png

 

Some more verbose descriptions of the above legend:

 

Optimized by data install – This tool will have additional options if an Alteryx Analytics Data Set is installed.

 

Drivetime option is multithreaded – The drivetime engine known as Guzzler is multithreaded.

 

Tool icon and anchors – The tool image that gets placed on the canvas and the type of connection anchors that indicate how data comes into and out of the tool.

 

Multithreaded – These tools will utilize all cores of the computer it is run on. The more cores, the more records Alteryx can process.

 

Macro tool – These tools are Alteryx workflows that are saved as tools. Macro tools are blocking tools if they contain a blocking tool.

 

Tool rank by popularity -  Tool usage data is collected each time a workflow is run. I used the resulting counts to determine the order of the table. 

 

Records stream – meaning no additional magic other than the magic of Alteryx touches this tool. Ned would argue there is no magic in Alteryx. Of course, we all know he is Dumbledore, Gandalf, Merlin and Shazam all rolled into one.

 

Blocking tool - Some tools need to read the contents in more than one pass, such as any tool that sorts the records prior to executing the tool process. Temp files are created so that the second pass can happen faster. A blocking tool will not pass any records until all records have been read.

 

Conditional blocking tool – These tools are only blocking tools in certain configurations such as a Check box that calls for grouping records.

 

No records pass – These tools are cosmetic and therefore pass no records in or out.

 

Requires a Data Install – These tools require a data install such as an Alteryx Analytics Data Set.

 

Tool Name – this is the tool name as it appears in the tool palette.

 

By Wednesday I had a final version of side one, and it was time to use Neil’s classification of the Predictive tools. Admittedly, I was burnt out at this point. Had I had even one more day, I could have done more, but I was able to knock it out Wednesday night and drop the files to the printer first thing Thursday morning. 1300 copies were ready by Saturday morning and they made it into my carry-on suitcase weighing over 35 pounds. Yes, I was stopped by TSA.

 

What’s next?

 

I am already thinking of the next revision of this table. The first change I will make is to get it into Alteryx. That step boils down to placing all the icons with the right file names and their connection anchors into a directory, and building a data file with all the pertinent classifications. The next thing I need to do is create an alphabetical and rank lookup so that you can find tools a little easier in the table. I’d also like to add the numbering to the Predictive side and color the borders with the classification. Maybe I’ll even include a classification for interactive reporting outputs.

 

After that I’m all ears – what would you like to see in a future version? Are some of the classifications we left out initially interesting enough to include? What about tools that have a 1-tool example or a Tool Mastery article - should they be called out?

 

There are two PDFs attached to this post below for the front and backside of the poster. Any print shop should be able to print and laminate an 11 x 17” poster for you. With lamination, it will run around $5.

 

UPDATE 9/1/2017:

I made two small edits to the front side of the tool poster. 

  1. The Browse tool (#2) now has a star to indicate it is optimized by a data install.
  2. The Compare Behavior tool (#168) was updated to the correct icon.

Thank you to @PaulaA - her eagle eye spotted these 2 inaccuracies.

Tara McCoy

Tara McCoy is the Creative Director at Alteryx. Since joining Alteryx in 2004, Tara has held roles in Product Management, Content Engineering, and Community where her focus has always been on delivering an amazing product experience with Alteryx. From designing product icons and community badges, procuring excellent swag, concocting engaging contests, and crowdsourcing content from internal and external Alteryx advocates alike, Tara is dedicated to the Alteryx brand and wants everyone to experience the thrill of problem solving with Alteryx.

Tara McCoy is the Creative Director at Alteryx. Since joining Alteryx in 2004, Tara has held roles in Product Management, Content Engineering, and Community where her focus has always been on delivering an amazing product experience with Alteryx. From designing product icons and community badges, procuring excellent swag, concocting engaging contests, and crowdsourcing content from internal and external Alteryx advocates alike, Tara is dedicated to the Alteryx brand and wants everyone to experience the thrill of problem solving with Alteryx.

Comments
gnans19
11 - Bolide

Yay!!!

 

Big kudos to the person who created it. Very very handy.

MarqueeCrew
20 - Arcturus
20 - Arcturus

@TaraM,

 

You are simply awesome!  

DultonM
11 - Bolide

@TaraM, A marvelous story of pure Alteryx passion and dedication! I proudly have my periodic table from Inspire hanging in my office!

Ken_Black
9 - Comet
9 - Comet

Tara,

 

I knew that this work of art was totally awesome and that I why I went bonkers over it. Although I had a feeling that a lot of work went into the creation of this piece, I didn't fully appreciate it until reading this article! I am now even happier that you signed it because it represents the best of your talents and creativity, your attention to details, and the collaboration of so many great Alteryx minds. Thank you for creating this and I just want you to know that I think this work is terrific and it will be used more than you can imagine!  In fact, Jett is already studying it, asking me to tell him what the tool names are and what they do.

 

Thanks,

 

Ken

 

OK - Now for the emergence of Mr Max Data Dork as my wife calls me.   This is the short story of how I won the laminated edition of the Periodic Table of Alteryx Tools! 

 

 

 

 

patrick_digan
17 - Castor
17 - Castor

@TaraM This is awesome! I used the some is good, more is better approach and printed it off at 5' by 3' for my office:

4ae9d741-e190-492e-a27f-fb866ce5a7ae.png

ck_dup_428
6 - Meteoroid

@TaraM,

You are amazing!

I feel extra special knowing that I am one of the lucky 100. This sits proudly on my desk (in Sydney, Australia)!

AndyMoncla
10 - Fireball

Thank you Tara.

Vijay_Gowtham
5 - Atom

Very handy! thanks for the effort :)

aezerins
6 - Meteoroid

Great post ... and great poster!

 

We have just ordered some laminated copies from our local print shop to distribute them to our team members.

 

Thanks!

mix_pix
10 - Fireball

This is such a fantastic resource Tara.  And kudos to you for developing not only this but all of the icons as well...just learned that you created all of them!  Very impressive!

ThizViz
11 - Bolide

You ARE Wonder Woman @TaraM

jwkwjw
5 - Atom

Tara,

 

My teamed loved this. Thank you for all your hard work!

SeanAdams
17 - Castor
17 - Castor

Pride of place in my home office :-)

 

I really do love this poster @TaraM - thank you!    - the colouring for blocking tool was very interesting to see visually which components will actually hold the flow, and the fact that you ordered this by usage popularity is fascinating (I never would have guessed that Layout is more popular than eMail for example - for us, we discovered the eMail tool far earlier than layouts).

 

This is well worth holding onto (and I'm trying to figure out a way to mark up the ones that I've invested in learning and understanding as I go along without destroying the poster, so it also acts like a tracking tool for my own learning journey).

 

Thanks again Tara

Sean

 

20170627_204616[1].jpg

marcogarcia0
5 - Atom

Great post ! I'll share with my colleagues here !

Tks

Marco.

https://www.cetax.com.br

MarqueeCrew
20 - Arcturus
20 - Arcturus

How about adding hyperlinks to the table so that we can instantly find KB or tool mastery articles related to specific tools?  

Arianna_Fuller
7 - Meteor

The predictive poster is exactly what my team needs. Thank you for sharing!

StuartBeech
5 - Atom

Very useful, thanks!

MikeB
Alteryx
Alteryx

This is one of the COOLEST things I've ever seen!

It's now my wallpaper on Monitor #2 - Love it!

 

Thanks for creating this Tara - You are amazing!

OliverW
Alteryx Alumni (Retired)

This is plain awesome Tara!

JoshKushner
12 - Quasar

Thank you for sharing this! I've personally been using the periodic table as my personal checklist to learn each and every tool.

 

Now I just need to get it printed onto a shower curtain or something...

SeanAdams
17 - Castor
17 - Castor

:-) @JoshKushner - if you get this printed on a shower curtain, that deserves a picture being posted right here.

TaraM
Alteryx Alumni (Retired)

@SeanAdams and @JoshKushner - you two are onto something...we are in the midst of launching something pretty cool. Calling all fans of the periodic table!! Check out the Thursday Thought and weigh in. You're welcome.

arnulfo
5 - Atom
Thnks Tara =)
Scott_Anderson
Alteryx
Alteryx

😲 Wow! Nice work, Tara!

papalow
8 - Asteroid

@TaraM 

This is a great tool.  I printed it out on 11" x 17" paper and refer to it often.

 

@SeanAdams 

How big is the Periodic Table in your posted picture?  

SeanAdams
17 - Castor
17 - Castor

Hey @papalow  - I think we printed it in A0 size.

 

https://www.papersizes.org/a-paper-sizes.htm

 

Size Width x Height (mm) Width x Height (in)

A0841 x 1189 mm33.1 x 46.8 in

 

 

TonyaS
Alteryx
Alteryx

This is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I'm going to make sure every new hire to my teams sees it. 

ClintonF
Alteryx
Alteryx

@TaraM any plans for an updated version?

JamesCameron
8 - Asteroid

This is such a cool way of showing and ranking Alteryx tools!

Haribabu_Mupppaneni
6 - Meteoroid

Very good

varundcs
7 - Meteor

Impressive and very useful. Thanks for that..

rajatsadan
8 - Asteroid

Great effort!!

nabilbeit
7 - Meteor

Any plans to update now that there are new tools (such as the Machine Learning Tools)?

As an educator and as a user of Alteryx, I always send new users to the Periodic Table to "focus their attention on the top tools"

Paul_Chaney
5 - Atom

Very cool!

Nice one!

Now let's start a campaign to teach all kids that "A" is for Alteryx!

Thableaus
17 - Castor
17 - Castor

I think we definitely should see an update in this table! There's no Python tool on this one, so sad.

Gurunath
5 - Atom

Hi Alteryxians!

 

Am a neophyte to Alteryx. Seek your patience in advance :)

 

Just a thought.

 

Some of you may have caught up with APAC UG Dec 2021 facilitated by Dawn Duong Alteryx User Group Meeting Round Up 2021 

Jae Jun of Telstra is one of the presenters. Excellent job. He states @38.30 of the presentation link     ". . there's definitely creep up of each side.."  Tableau and Alteryx - i.e. overlap of features.  In Telstra they are clear about sticking to Alteryx for ETL/ELT and Tableau for visualization. 
-What about less mature organization. would feature overlap be confusing for users and IT buyer-decision makers?

 

- Is there a way we could leverage the periodic table by highlighting  elements that say, only Alteryx can do / conversely

shading out elements that other SaaS tools like PBI/Tableau could also do... Even if this may be dynamic? Every user could then maintain/update their own.

 

Appreciate your thoughts/feedback/action/comment!  Thank you.