Error: The field “[field_name]” is missing. Compare the tool configuration with the input stream

[Alteryx_KB]

Environment Details

Note: In versions prior to 2021.1.4, this error message text is "The field "[field_name]" is not contained in the record."

• Alteryx Designer
  • All versions
• Impacted Tools
  • Arrange
  • Create Points
  • Cross Tab
  • DateTime
  • Distance
  • Download
  • Dynamic Input
  • Dynamic Replace
  • Email
  • Filter
  • Find Nearest
  • Find Replace
  • Fuzzy Match
  • Generate Rows
  • Interactive Chart
  • JSON Parse
  • Join
  • Join Multiple
  • Layout
  • Multi-Row Formula
  • Output Data
  • Poly Build
  • RegEx
  • Render
  • Running Total
  • Sample
  • Sort
  • Spatial Info
  • Spatial Match
  • Spatial Process
  • Summarize
  • Summarize In-DB
  • Table
  • Text To Columns
  • Tile
  • Trade Area
  • Unique
  • User Macros
  • XML Parse

Cause

Something changed in the metadata, and the field/ column is no longer available. Perhaps the name was changed upstream or deselected in an intermediate tool. For example, if the Summarize tool returns this message, it means that the column it was expecting to summarize is no longer in the data stream (and is followed by the {Action} that the Summarize tool was performing).

Resolution

Compare the tool configuration with the input stream. Trace backwards from the erroring tool to find out where the column went “missing.” See Cross Tab image below.
 

[Thankins94]

Hello, I am getting this error when running my macro, but do not see the field in a select tool. Do you have any suggestions?

[LisaL]

@Thankins94 
You should open up your macro and see what field names you have throughout.  If you need assistance and you hold a paid license, you can open a case with Customer Support to help you.  They will need for you to provide your macro and possibly some sample data as well.

[RobPearce]

I'm getting this error, but it's not giving me a field name, just a pair of empty double quotes.
There are 4 fields in my formula, they are all numbers, they are all going into the formula tool, and they all have a value for every record.

Is my Alteryx just broken?

[LisaL]

@RobPearce 

Is it possible that there is a field somewhere that is implied but not actually defined?  Perhaps a space in an upstream Select tool in the "Rename" column?  Maybe a pair of brackets in a Formula Expression?   You might find it helpful to look at the Metadata at every connection tracing back from the point of the error.Places to check for "empty" field names.

[CristonS]

hi @RobPearce, to bounce off Lisa's post a little bit, when there is a field somewhere that is implied but not actually defined (the error contains empty double quotes), often the Output Column has not been configured; i.e. you did not give your new field a name. Can you verify on your end?

[RobPearce]

Found my problem:  I'd added a second "expression" that I hadn't done anything with - i.e. no column selected, and no actual expression written - And Alteryx couldn't deal with its existence.

[CharltonFranklin]

I'm trying to use an analytic app to change from a dynamic field in the workflow to an analytic app defined field. I created a simplified version to troubleshoot what I'm doing wrong. The problem seems to be with the left action, but it looks like it's configured fine.

This what I'm doing in that action:

if [#1] then 'False' else 'True' endif

In debugger, I get this error:

But the e-mail configuration is like this and when I run the debug file, it runs fine:

[Justin_B]

Comment removed.

[AXC0370]

Hi 

I'm getting the below error, using a dynamic input, Could you please advise? 

[Katinasg]

I am getting this error, but wondering what would be the best formula to use when your data might change often. My replace function is looking for a certain data type, but sometimes its there and sometimes it is not. 

[kalteryx]

The field “” is missing. Compare the tool configuration with the input stream

I'm having the double quote issue that @RobPearce described. However, I don't think Rob's solution fits my situation. As well, I've looked at the Meta Data & other items suggested by @LisaL 

Are there any different suggestions?

I'm experiencing this within the Multi-Row Formula tool. And, I've selected "Update Existing Field".

[kalteryx]

Nevermind, it was a dropdown issue.