Templates
Use Templates to save a template version of a workflow, macro, or app as a starting point for new Designer Desktop projects in the future. You can create or save templates with common configurations, runtime settings, and formatted comment boxes (to name a few). This lets you spend less time formatting workflows and more time delivering solutions.
You can use templates for any of these scenarios (and more):
Create basic workflow templates, macro templates, or app templates to have a starting point for different project types.
Create templates with different formatted versions for different audiences, like customers or internal teams.
Create templates with...
Company-specific colors for title bars and metadata comment boxes.
Standardized structure for inputs in a container on the left and outputs in a container on the right.
Pre-selected Workflow Configuration settings, for example, Runtime settings.
Notes and Considerations
When you save a template, Alteryx saves it to this directory:
C:\Users\[USER]\AppData\Local\Alteryx\Templates
Alternatively, if you have a large number of templates and want to avoid saving each one by one, you can add them directly to the above directory. If you do this, make sure your templates have the appropriate file extensions. If you place an item that doesn't have one of the valid template file extensions into this directory, the project won't be available via File > Templates.
Save a New Template
You can save an existing workflow, macro, or app as a template. Follow these steps to do so:
With a workflow, macro, or app open in Designer, select File > Save As.
Select Template to open the Save as Template dialog.
Enter a name for your template. Note that Designer preconfigures the file type based on the project that you started with (workflow, macro, app). Refer to Template File Types for more information.
Select Save to save your template or Cancel to go back to your project.
Designer saves your template to the Template folder at this location: C:\Users\[USER]\AppData\Local\Alteryx\Templates. You can access, edit, and use your template from Designer's main menu via File > Templates.
Use a Template
You can access all of your Designer templates via the main menu. To use a template as a starting point for your next project, follow these steps:
Access the Templates window via File > Templates.
Locate the template that you want to use. If you have many templates, there are several options available to help you locate the correct template.
Use the project type tabs to switch between All, Workflows, Macros, and Apps. This lets you view only the templates that match the tab you select.
Use the Search box to search for a template by name.
Use the Name, Last Updated, and Meta Info Description column headers to sort your list of templates.
Once you locate the template that you want to use, select Use Template. Your project opens in Designer, and you can start making any necessary updates.
Important
When you open a project from a template, it opens as an unsaved workflow, macro, or app template file. Once you make any necessary updates, you need to save your project as you would with any typical workflow, macro, and app.
Edit a Template
You can make updates to an existing template if needed. Follow these steps to do so:
Go to the Templates window via File > Templates.
Locate the template that you want to edit or update. If you have many templates, there are several options available to help you locate the correct template.
Use the project type tabs to switch between All, Workflows, Macros, and Apps. This lets you view only the templates that match the tab you select.
Use the Search box to search for a template by name.
Use the Name, Last Updated, and Meta Info Description column headers to sort your list of templates.
Once you locate the template that you want to edit, select its 3-dot menu and select Edit Template. Your template file opens in Designer, where you can make any necessary changes.
When you finish updating your template, make sure to save the template.
Delete a Template
If you no longer need one of your templates, you can delete it. Follow these steps to delete a template:
Go to the Templates window via File > Templates.
Locate the template that you want to delete. If you have many templates, there are several options available to help you locate the correct template.
Use the project type tabs to switch between All, Workflows, Macros, and Apps. This lets you view only the templates that match the tab you select.
Use the Search box to search for a template by name.
Use the Name, Last Updated, and Meta Info Description column headers to sort your list of templates.
Once you locate the template that you want to delete, select its 3-dot menu and select Delete. This triggers the Delete Template dialog, where you can select Delete to confirm or select Close to go back to the Templates window.
Warning
Deletion is permanent. Once you confirm to delete a template, you can't recover it!
Template File Types
Each type of Designer template has its own unique file type that maps to the source project file type. The template file types are listed here:
YXTD (Workflow Template): Created from Workflow (YXMD).
YXTC (Macro Template): Created from a Macro (YXMC).
YXTZ (Analytic App Template): Created from an Analytic App (YXWZ).