Action Tool
Action Tool
One Tool Example
Action has a One Tool Example. Go to Sample Workflows to learn how to access this and many other examples directly in Alteryx Designer.
Use Action to update the configuration of a workflow with values provided by interface questions, when run as an app or macro.
Action has 2 incoming connection anchors:
The Q input connector accepts the output connections of Interface tools that use the same graphic. This input connector accepts multiple inputs. It is the value from the incoming tool that is applied to the Action and sent to update the downstream tool.
The condition anchor (diamond icon) accepts the output of a Condition tool.
Action has 1 outgoing connection anchor:
The lightning bolt anchor connects to the lightning bolt input anchor of the workflow tool. The connection between these anchors contains the user's value from the interface tool and the method of how it will update the connected workflow tool with that value.
Configure the Tool
Action has many possible configurations but only those actions that make sense based on the incoming and outgoing connections are visible, taking the guesswork out of which options to pick.
Before configuring an Action tool, make sure it is connected (ensure it has an incoming and outgoing connection). If you draw a connection from a Question tool to a workflow tool, a configured Action tool is placed automatically between the tools.
Select an action type: If the tool is connected to an incoming and outgoing tool, the list of available action types is pared down.
Based on the action type and tool you are updating, select the element of the tool configuration to be updated.
Complete the configuration as necessary.
Action Type | Description | Example Flow |
|---|---|---|
Delete Tool from Workflow | Removes a tool from a workflow. It's preferred to use a Detour tool or Detour End tool to bypass sections of the workflow, but those tools do not remove input tools. | Condition Tool > Action(  ) > Input Data Tool(  ) |
Enable/Disable Container from Condition Tool Enable/Disable Control Container from Condition Tool | Updates the Tool Container tool's/Control Container tool's Disable checkbox based on the connected Condition tool. Use a Condition tool when you want to account for a true and a false outcome. | Radio Button Tool > Condition Tool (T) > Action( ) > Tool Container Tool ( ) |
Enable/Disable Container from Question Enable/Disable Control Container from Question | Updates the Tool Container tool's/Control Container tool's Disable checkbox based on the connected Question tool. Note that if the Check Box or Radio Button is selected, the Tool Container will be disabled. If the question is not selected, the Tool Container will be enabled. | Radio Button Tool > Action(  ) > Tool Container Tool ( ) |
Update Cell | Updates the value of a single cell of a Text Input tool. | Text Box Tool > Action( ) > Text Input Tool( ) |
Update Detour Direction from Condition | Updates a Detour tool. Use a Condition tool when you want to account for a true and a false outcome of the Condition. | Radio Button Tool > Condition Tool (T) > Action( |
Update Detour Direction from Question | Updates a Detour tool. | Radio Button Tool > Action( ) > Detour Tool( ) |
Update Directory with Folder Browse | Updates the directory string of a folder path. | Folder Browse Tool > Action( ) > Directory Tool( ) |
Update Field List | Updates a tool that has a simple fields list. | Drop Down Tool > Action( ) > Find Replace Tool( ) |
Update Input Data Tool | Updates an Input Data tool with the results of a file browse question. | File Browse Tool > Action( ) > Input Data Tool( ) |
Update Map Input Tool with Map Question | Updates the Map Input tool. | Map Tool > Action( ) > Map Input Tool( ) |
Update Output Data Tool | Updates an Output Data tool with the results of a file browse. | File Browse Tool > Action( ) > Output Data Tool( ) |
Update Password | Updates a password. | Text Box Tool > Action( ) > Download Tool ( ) |
Update Raw XML with Formula | Allows the underlying XML to be changed in almost any way possible. Proper use of this Action requires proficiency in proper XML syntax. | Text Box Tool > Action( Just about any Question tool > Action > Just about any Workflow tool. |
Update Select with multi-select List Box | Updates a Select tool with the results of a user's field selection. Multiple field selection is supported. | List Box Tool > Action( ) > Select Tool ( ) |
Update Select with Reverse Field Map | Updates a Select tool with the results of a user's field selection when a field map is used while maintaining the user's original field names. | Macro Input Tool > Action( ) > Select Tool ( ) |
Update Sort Order | Updates the sort order of a Sort tool. | Action > Sort tool ( The Action tool doesn't require any input. |
Update Trade Area Radius | Updates the radius of the Trade Area tool. | Numeric Up Down Tool > Action( ) > Trade Area Tool( ) |
Update Value | Updates any part of a tool's configuration in the underlying workflow based on the user's answers. | Text Box Tool > Action( Just about any Question tool > Action > Just about any Workflow tool. |
Update Value with Formula | Updates any part of a tool's configuration in the underlying workflow based on the user's answers and a formula. Variables refer to incoming connections and have this naming convention:
You can reference multiple connections in a formula as long as they are all connected to the Action tool. Visit Expression Editor for more information. | Numeric Up Down Tool > Action( Just about any Question tool > Action > Just about any Workflow tool. |