Alteryx is a very useful tool in the world of data preparation however a big hurdle involved in data prep is sharing your solutions. Alteryx workflows are very useful, however they are stuck on one analyst's desktop. Users don't want to have to build a flow every time they need a specific output. Apps allow the user to input a file and select the fields they want to use in a simple to understand UI in order to get the output they require.
The Key Interface Tools:
File Browse:
When the file browse tool is placed into a workflow, it can be connected to input and output data tools. It allows the user to select the file they would like to be used in the input or output tool. Dragging from the Q on the bottom of the icon to the lightning symbol on top of the input data tool connects them together.
Action Tool:
When you connect an interface tool to another tool in a flow, an action tool will appear between them. This action tool acts almost like a translator between the values the user inputs and the values that the connected tool will use. It essentially tells the flow how to change based on what the user picked.
Drop Down:
The drop down tool can be setup in a way that it reads the fields in the file that the user chooses to input in using a file browse tool and shows them as a list to the user. This allows the user to choose a field. This chosen field can then be used in tandem with Alteryx tools. For example, the selected value from a drop down tool can be used to replace a value in a formula tool. This then allows the output to change based on the field that the user selects.
The Interface Designer:
The interface designer in Alteryx allows you to customise the UI to make it easier for the user to understand and navigate.
Group Box:
The group box allows you to add multiple drop downs and use input boxes into sections. This can make the common input areas easier for the user to see.
Label:
Label boxes allow you to add descriptions to your UI. This can add clarity for the user and direct them to right areas. It can also be used to tell the user what to input into the different areas.
Link:
The link box allows you to add a link to the user interface. This could possibly be used to link a website for the user to get extra information.
Tab:
This creates a new tab in the UI. If one page of the interface is getting too cluttered, you can add a second tab.
It is easy to get intimidated by interface tools, but by wrapping your logic in a user friendly interface, you stop being a bottleneck for every data request and it allows you to bridge the gap between the complex backend logic and the simple answers your users may need.