Allocate Input Tool

The Allocate Input tool allows the user to pick geographies and data variables from any Allocate dataset installed on the user's system. The most recent dataset used in Allocate will always be the default dataset that opens within this tool.

Configure the tool

Choose a Dataset: Use the dropdown list to select an installed Allocate dataset.

You can specify the default dataset from User Settings. Go to Options > User Settings > Edit User Settings and click the Dataset Defaults tab.

You can optionally read in an existing Allocate Workspace (*.aws) file:

  1. Select the Use Allocate Workspace checkbox.
  2. Click Import to navigate to the workspace file.
  3. Select a file and click Open. Alteryx will read the file and make the appropriate variable and geography selections.

Pick Geography Tab: The selection box on the Pick Geography tab lists all of the standard geography types available.

  1. Expand the geography trees to reveal the desired geographies.
  2. Check the box to select the appropriate geographies.

Pick Variables Tab:The selection box on the Pick Variables tab lists all of the data variables in the selected Dataset.

  • Expand the variable trees to reveal the data to append. Check the box to select the appropriate variable(s).
  • To view variable names alongside their descriptions, right click on the description, select Show Field Names and the field names will appear to the right of the description.

Special Fields Tab: Use the checkboxes to return any of the following additional fields:

  • Spatial Object field: Returns the Spatial Object (Polygon) of the selected geography. The Spatial Object is necessary for down stream spatial processing or for map creation.
  • Raw Key Field: Returns the Raw Key for the selected geography. For many geography types, the RawKey is identical to the Key. For any geography that has a classification 'by State' or 'by County,' the RawKey will contain a concatenated key of both geographies.
  • State Name State Key County Name County Key ZIP Codes by County Key RawKey

    New Jersey

    34

    Monmouth

    34025

    08736 Manasquan

    08736

    3402508736

    New Jersey

    34

    Ocean

    34029

    08742 Point Pleasant Beach

    08742

    3402908742

    When specifying the Geography Type in an Allocate Append tool, you will want to ensure to use the RawKey when specifying any geography type that is 'by State' or 'by County.'

    Geography Short Name: Returns the Short Name of the selected geography. The Short Name is how Allocate refers to the type of geography chosen. This field is useful for updating geographies in an Analytic App or Macro and for creating reports with mixed geographies.

    Geography ShortName

    Block Groups

    BG

    CCDs/MCDs by County

    MCDbyCNTY

    Census Tracts

    TR

    Congressional Districts

    CONG_DIST

    Counties

    County

    DMA

    DMA

    DMAs by State

    DMAbySt

    Entire US

    FullUS

    Metro CBSAs

    CBSAMET

    Metro CBSAs By State

    CBSAMETBYSTATE

    Micro CBSAs

    CBSAMIC

    Micro CBSAs By State

    CBSAMICBYSTATE

    Places

    PLACES

    Sectional Centers

    SC

    States

    State

    ZIP Codes

    ZIP

    ZIP Codes by County

    ZipByCN

    ZIP Codes by DMA

    ZipByDma