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Tool Mastery

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Tool Mastery | Input Data

MattD
Alteryx Alumni (Retired)
Created

Input Data.pngThis article is part of the Tool Mastery Series, a compilation of Knowledge Base contributions to introduce diverse working examples for Designer Tools. Here we’ll delve into uses of the Input Data Tool on our way to mastering the Alteryx Designer:

 

The Input Data Tool is where it all starts in the Designer. Sure, you can bring in webscraped or API data with the Download Tool (master it here) and our prebuilt Connector Tools, but the tool that makes it a breeze to grab data from your most used file formats and databases is the Input Data Tool. Behold:

 

  • Input any supported file format with a simple file browse:

 

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Done and done. Once the input file is selected you can preview the incoming dataset in the tool’s configuration menu.

 

Be sure to look into saving your database connections as aliasesfor quicker input later on!

 

 

You can also use the Input Data Tool with a wildcard (*) to input multiple files of the same schema from a single directory. Learn how to use the wildcard and input tables of different schemas here.

 

Looking for more dynamic inputs? We’ve got you covered with theDynamic Input Tool! Master it here.

 

Note: If you’re sharing workflows with inputs, be sure to exportif the recipient doesn’t have the same input file on their computer already.

By now, you should have expert-level proficiency with the Input Data Tool! If you can think of a use case we left out, feel free to use the comments section below! Consider yourself a Tool Master already? Let us know at community@alteryx.com if you’d like your creative tool uses to be featured in the Tool Mastery Series.

 

Stay tuned with our latest posts everyTool Tuesdayby followingAlteryxon Twitter! If you want to master all the Designer tools, considersubscribingfor email notifications.

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