What is a macro?
The official Alteryx definition of a macro is: “A macro is a workflow or group of tools combined into a single tool that you can insert into another workflow. Create a macro to save and automate an analytic process you perform repeatedly. Use the macro within a workflow without the need to recreate the analytic process each time.”
In simpler terms, a macro is like a super-tool that saves a bunch of steps you do over and over. It's like a box of tools you can use in different jobs without doing the same work again.
Types of Alteryx Macros
1. Standard
The purpose of this macro is to package a process into a workflow as a tool that can be used to insert it into another workflow. After each run, this macro is repeated many times in the workflow, and output is generated after each run. The macro runs once for each record or selected group of records in the dataset being processed.
2. Batch
The batch macro runs once for each record (or group of records) in the input dataset. The macro runs once in the processed data set for each record (or for a specific subset of records). Inputs can be configured to be used every time a process runs or only on certain runs, depending on the configuration. If you are familiar with programming, a batch macro is similar to a for loop.
3. Iterative
If a condition is fulfilled, an Iterative Macro will run all records and loop the records back into the workflow and repeat the whole process as often as desired, or until the condition has been satisfied.
4. Location Optimizer Macros
This is, by far, the least used and most specialized macro in Alteryx. Location Optimizer macros are special iterative macros that are used in network analysis to identify optimal locations.
Why Alteryx Macros Matter in Business?
1. Easy Reuse of Workflows
With a workflow, you can save an analytical process as a macro that you can then run repeatedly. You can develop a workflow, run it to make sure the process works, and then realise that you need to run it every week with a slight change in the data input. You can also apply various calculations to the data as you process it. A reformation macro followed by a new set of calculations can be used to build a unique workflow for each analysis.
2. Support is provided by a single point of contact
To avoid additional steps for exchanging processes, we will need a single input for exchanging different types of data during the preparation phase, rather than multiple inputs for exchanging procedures.
3. Group Work
If the task includes a workflow with different groups of sections and tools, it makes sense to use macros so that each person can focus on a specific part of the analysis before bringing everything together for the final workflow. When a workflow is developed by a group of people, it can be useful to break it down into tasks that everyone can work on independently.