Alteryx is a Self-service data analytics tool. Alteryx makes the process of ETL easier. Alteryx is a super tool that combines the functionalities required for Data Preparation, Geo-Spatial Analytics, and Data Science. Alteryx has mainly 5 Data Types.
If you want to learn how to use these data types in Alteryx, then check our latest Alteryx Training Program with hands-on training with Alteryx Data Types.
Data can be brought in Alteryx by using two tools;
- Auto Field tool – to select the data type automatically by Alteryx
- Select tool – the user decides the datatype
What is the Alteryx Data Types?
Let us understand the data types in Alteryx one by one:
1. String Data
String Data represents only text, even if the data is numeric or spaces or special characters. If a string consists of numbers, it is ideally advised to first convert to numeric type to perform further calculations. Generally, string data is the one that you want to keep as it is. String Data is further classified into 4 categories;
- String
- V_String
- WString
- V_String
String & WString are of fixed lengths; you have to set the predefined length o the string. WString can hold more international characters like Japanese or Chinese. V in V_String stands for variable; you do not have to set any predefined length, it adjusts itself according to the length, but it is not used often as it consumes time in processing and adjusting the length of the string.
Always set a high limit for the variable-length sting to avowing truncating of data. To set the variable length of the string is still suitable as it consumes the storage as per its requirement.
2. Numeric Data
Numeric Alteryx data types, as the name suggests, contains only numbers. It stores numbers like 01 for 1, 02 for 2 and so on but will represent them as a single digit. Numeric Datatypes are classified as follows;
- Byte
- Integer
- Fixed Decimal
- Float
- Double
Byte and Integer are the whole numbers, whereas Fixed Decimal, Float, and Double include a decimal number. The byte is a small overall number, and Integer is for more significant numbers, and sizes are 16, 32, and 64. Fixed Decimal is used for currency and Float, and Double are used as the most precise numbers.
Float and Double are not good because when it comes to comparison, both are never equal. Float is generally used to save memory.
3. Date/Time Data
In Alteryx, the format for Date, Time, and Date and Time are fixed. You will need to do some manipulations on your data if it is not in the format, as generalized by Alteryx, to use it. Sometimes it is very difficult to work with dates and times; there is a great tool known as Date Time Macro that converts date and time in human-readable as well as Alteryx readable format. The format is as follows;
- Date – “yyyy-mm-dd”
- Time – “hh:mm:ss”
- DateTime – “yyyy-mm-dd hh:mm:ss”
4. Boolean Data
Bool represents a flag. Thus, it has only two possible values, either True or False.
- ‘True’ = non-zero
- ‘False’ = 0
5. Spatial Objects
Spatial Objects are used for mapping and are associated with maintaining data records. A point. Line. Polyline or polygon all comes under Spatial Objects and can be used for mapping.
In this article, we understood all the different types of Alteryx data types and their usage in detail. You can also learn such Alteryx Data Types and Objects with Alteryx Online Course