Designer User Interface

The Alteryx user interface consists of several components that can be moved, re-sized, reorganized, or closed. See Customize the User Interface.

The Workflow canvas is the area where you build a workflow. A workflow consists of a series of tools that perform different functions to process data. Relative paths to data sources are saved within the workflow so they can be shared with others via email or saved to a shared drive. A workflow is saved as a .yxmd file type.

Each workflow displays as a tab across the top of the workflow canvas:

• An asterisk next to the workflow's name denotes unsaved changes.
• To close one or more open workflows, right-click a workflow tab and select Close, Close All But This, or Close All.
• To open the folder where your workflow is saved, right-click the workflow tab and select Open Containing Folder. You can use this option to open other workflows and files stored in the same location.
• To duplicate a workflow in another tab, right-click the workflow tab and select Duplicate. A new tab is created with a copy of the previous workflow.

Start Here

Start Here displays a helpful set of starter samples when Designer starts up. To change settings, see User Settings.

Search, which is located in the top right corner, searches Designer tools, Gallery items, Connect assets, Help content, and Community posts, and returns the top five results. Each category includes a link to more results.

Access windows and common actions from the main menu.

• To lock a tool category in place on the Tool Palette, right-click the category and choose Pin Category. The Favorites tool category is pinned by default and any additional pinned categories display to the right of the Favorites. To unpin a tool category, right-click on the tool category and choose Unpin Category or Unpin All Groups and the tool category will return to its original position in the Tool Palette.
• Select a tool category name to display the tools within that category. To display the description of a tool, select the tool icon. Some tool descriptions include an Open Example link that you can select to open a workflow that demonstrates how to use the tool.
• Select the star icon associated with any tool to add it to the Favorites category. Favorite tools are indicated by a filled-in star icon.
• Right-click any tool to reveal options that help you organize the tool palette and tool usage.
  • Help: Shows the help page for the tool.
  • Add to Favorites: Adds the tool to the Favorites category. Select the star icon associated with any tool to remove it from the Favorites category.
  • Open Example: Opens a workflow that demonstrates how to use the tool.
  • Open Macro: Opens the *.yxmc file for macro tools in a new tab on the workflow canvas. This displays for macro tools only.

The Configuration window displays the configurations available for a selected tool or connection in the workflow, or for the workflow itself when nothing is selected.

The Results window displays the state of the data as it flows through each tool when a workflow is run. It also shows any messages or errors that occur, as well as links to output files that are created.

After you run a workflow, select a tool to display the tool's input and output anchors along the left side of the Results window. Select one of the anchors (either on the tool or within the Results window) to display the data results from that tool. Choose from tool to tool to see how the data changes at each point in the workflow.

For all tools, except for the Browse tool, the data displayed in the Results window is limited to 1 MB for each anchor (string types are limited to the first 1,000 bytes).

The Interface Designer allows you to customize an app or macro interface. You can reorder interface questions and actions, add elements, test values, and include content.