Believe it or not, macros in Alteryx are designed to make your workflow simpler. In general they are reusable components or workflows designed to perform specific tasks that can be invoked in other workflows.
They allow users to automate repetitive tasks, making workflows more efficient and scalable.
There are 3 main types of macros in Alteryx:
- Standard: set of tools that carry out a standardised task in the form of one tool
- Batch: runs for each record and creates an output that is then unionned together
- Iterative: runs through each record and loops the record back to the beginning. This process repeats until the condition is met
Common tools used
Input and Output tools: when building a macro, the user would need to define input and output anchors for your data
Interface tools: these tools allow the user to interact with the macro and set parameters.
- Text box: capture text input from the user
- Drop down: allows users to choose from predefined options
- Numeric up/down
Control parameter: allows you to chance the input or processing logic of the macro
Benefits of using macros
- Reusability: macros can be reused across many workflows, saving time
- Modularity: breaks down complex tasks into smaller, manageable components
- Automation: embeds logic into a tool to automate a process
- Efficiency: speeds up creation of a workflow.
To summarise, macros are a powerful way to improve the functionality of your workflows.