Parameterization via Batch Macros

There are 2 ways to parameterize Xtract components:

• Pass parameters using the input anchors of Xtract components.
  Input anchors are available for all Xtract components as of Xtract for Alteryx version 1.19.
• Pass parameters using control parameters in batch macros.
  The parameterization via batch macros is supported by Xtract BAPI, Xtract Table, Xtract Cube and Xtract ODP.

The following article shows how to parameterize Xtract components using batch macros.

Create an Extraction for a Batch Macro

The following example uses the Xtract ODP component to show how to parameterize selection filters.

1. Create a new workflow.
2. Add an Xtract ODP component.
3. Look up the DataSource 0MATERIAL_ATTR.
4. Create 2 new runtime parameters of type String and name them p_MATNR_low and p_MATNR_high.
5. Assign the parameters as selection filters to the column MATNR, so that only materials with numbers between p_MATNR_low and p_MATNR_high are included in the result data.

For more detailed information on how to create an ODP extraction, see Documentation: Define an ODP Extraction.

Create a Batch Macro with Control Parameters

1. Create a new workflow that contains an extraction as described in Create an Extraction for a Batch Macro.
2. To use the workflow as a batch macro, navigate to the Workflow Configuration and select Batch Macro as the Workflow Type from drop down list.
   
3. Save the file. Once the workflow is saved as a batch macro each tool in the workflow gets a lightning bolt anchor. Only Interface Tools can connect to these anchors.
4. Add a Control Parameter tool from the Interface toolbox and label the parameter e.g., name one cp_MATNR_low and another cp_MATNR_high to differentiate between the two .
5. Connect the Control Parameter tools to the Xtract component. This creates the Action tool Update Value .
   
6. To assign the control parameters to an Xtract parameter, select an Update Value tool and mark the Xtract parameter in the tree menu Value or Attribute to Update . For this example, assign the control parameter cp_MAKT_low to the Xtract ODP runtime parameter p_MATNR_low and cp_MAKT_high to p_MATNR_high.
7. Drag and drop the Macro Output tool from the Interface toolbox onto the canvas to create an output for the batch macro .
8. Save the macro.

Parameterize Components without Runtime Parameters

Some Xtract components don't use runtime parameters, but have offer other settings in the Action Configuration menu. Example: Parameterizing a WHERE-clause of an Xtract Table component.

• To parameterize a WHERE-clause, mark the WHERE-clause in the tree menu Value or Attribute to Update.
  
• To parameterize only parts of a WHERE-clause, activate Replace a specific string and specify what part of the WHERE-clause is to be replaced e.g., in the WHERE-clause KNA1~LAND1 = 'param' "param" can be used as a placeholder for the actual input.

Integrate a Batch Macro into a Workflow

The depicted example uses the Text Input tool to define the parameters for the extraction.

1. Add a Text Input tool to define the input for the batch macro. Enter valid parameter values and add a new column for every control parameter . Example:
   p_MATNR_low: 000000000000000023
   p_MATNR_high: 000000000000000100
   
2. To import the batch macro right-click the canvas and navigate to Insert > Macro. Add the macro that contains the Xtract component.
   
3. Connect the Text Input to the batch macro .
4. Select the batch macro and use the drop-down list Choose field to assign the values from the Text Input columns to the control parameters of the batch macro.
   
5. Add the Browse tool to check the results of the batch macro and run the workflow.
   

Related Links

• Alteryx Documentation
• Alteryx Documentation: Batch Macros