The Join tool in Alteryx is used to combine two data streams, and with the help of Alan, Annie and Andy can we see just how this is done.

This is Alan:

Alan likes cooking, football and country walks.

Alan has a friend called Annie, this is Annie:

Annie likes yoga, reading and country walks.

Alan and Annie love to go on country walks together, is it the reason they are such great friends.

Alan also has a friend called Andy, this is Andy:

Andy likes football, yoga and fishing.

Alan and Andy love to talk about football together, is it the reason they are such great friends.

Andy and Annie have never met, but guess what? They both like yoga! they can talk yoga for hours with one another, and even go for a session together.

So what have Alan, Annie and Andy got to do with the join tool?

Imagine the three of them are three separate data streams and their interests are three separate columns within those data streams.

Alan can join with Annie because of their shared interest in country walks:

Alan can join with Andy because of their shared interest in football:

Andy can join with Annie because of their shared interest in yoga:

Now imagine all three of them are together, and Barney walks in:

Barney likes gardening, rollerblading and orienteering.

But does Barney get along with Alan, Annie or Andy? I’m afraid not! They would have nothing to talk to him about. Luckily for Barney there is bound to be someone else out there, with whom he can share his interests of gardening, rollerblading or orienteering with.

Just not Alan, Annie or Andy.