Different values (before and after applying join operation)

[Un007]

 This is the number before applying join

 This is the number after applying join

I wonder why the number after join is greater than the number before join. Does it because the join? I checked the result when I use summarize, the numbers are the same.

Here is my workflow

[caltang · Accepted solution]

It means you have a many-to-many relationship in the join. Cartesian join in other words. Either your left/right anchor has values which are not unique as keys. Hence why your count is greater after than before.

I would suggest checking your logic again - I am assuming you are replicating a VLOOKUP - in Excel, VLOOKUPs only take the first value that appears, whereas Alteryx takes all that matches. So with that in mind, I would suggest reviewing it just before your Join or make the keys which are unique.

[caltang]

For further reading:

1. https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/Cartesian-Join-Cartesian-Product-1583460634182
2. https://www.thedataschool.co.uk/anita-longa/cartesian-join-alteryx-101-append-field-tool/
3. https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Cartesian-Product-Nature-of-In...