Alteryx Designer: The Definitive Guide

Chapter 2. Configuring Alteryx Designer

When you begin using Alteryx, there will likely be a point where you will hit the infamous aha moment. This is when you realize that, with Alteryx Designer, you can automate anything, you don’t need to have a PhD in nuclear physics, and that it’s extremely addictive and fun! You will be opened to a whole new view of your work and what can be done. In my years of conducting Alteryx training, I have had two instances where someone broke down and started to cry after the end of the class. I am fairly certain it wasn’t because my training was that bad; it was because, as they stated, for the first time these users felt like they had a clear path out of a job they didn’t like or an industry they weren’t passionate about. This is what keeps me coming back. Witnessing, and experiencing, this aha moment is such a great feeling. I mentioned earlier that Alteryx has an almost cult-like following—as soon as you get started, you will realize why.

In this chapter, we are going to launch your Alteryx experience into orbit. You will learn how to get your environment set up and configured the way you want in order to build your first workflow. We will walk through the Alteryx Designer interface and the four main components of building a workflow. You will also be introduced to user settings that can help you as you get started—you’ll become more comfortable with all the tools you have access to.

If you are completely new to the data and analytics field, ...