Alteryx lets you processes data in an innovative way, leveraging a combination of in-memory and in-database processing to optimize data blending and analytics, with connectors.
It provides many built-in data connectors and there are additional ones available for download from the Gallery. This list currently includes tools such as Google Sheets, Salesforce, Marketo, and others. If you require a connection to an API or web service that Alteryx does not already provide a tool for, you could build a connector using Alteryx. The Alteryx Download tool essentially lets you construct and make calls to any API, and subsequently save the repeatable process as a workflow, app, or even macro that can be used as a new connector.
The process
When you need to work with a new API or web service, breaking the documentation down into a snackable format can be a challenge. One ideal way to set off the process is to look at the authentication method that is required for the API and find out if the method can be implemented in Alteryx. Once you have determined the method of authentication that is required by the service, and implemented the process to authorize, the next step is to generate and execute the actual request to the service. Examine the available endpoints that the API provides, and try to answer the following questions:
1. What data can I access with this API?
2. Will I need the response of one API request to construct the request for a subsequent API request?
3. Will I be sending data to the service for upload (a POST request) or do I simply want to download information from this service (a GET request)?
The answers to these questions can be used to lay out the flow of the next section of your macro.
Switch Connector
To build a robust connector, it is crucial to parse the received result response. This involves sending and downloading data. Now when you are trying to upload data, it is a good idea to read the response to know if your request was received, whether it was valid and then pass on this information to the user of your connector. The very intent of building a connector for downloading data, is that you can present a well- parsed table of data.
When you interact with an API, you will receive error messages at regular intervals. The ability to handle these errors, as well as alert the user to the issue that was encountered, are additions you can make to your connector for a more seamless experience.
Once a workflow that handles authentication, executes the API request, and parses the output data, is in place, you can turn the workflow into a reusable macro. This means creating the macro interface that updates the options that you want parameterized as part of your connector.
JIRA Connector
Flip the 80/20 data prep rule and you can unlock all your datasets regardless of being big or small. Alteryx has made it possible to connect, profile, prep, and blend all your data, wherever it’s stored. It doesn’t matter if you are a data scientist or citizen user, you can still create powerful statistical, predictive, prescriptive, and spatial models, in a code-free or code-friendly workflow. Plus, enrich your data with third-party demographic, firmographic, and spatial data sets and see how your data changes as you work with in-line visualytics. And, thanks to the repeatable workflows, you will not waste another minute doing the same analysis over again.
DVW Alteryx connector for sap
Image Courtesy: Alteryx Community
Let us help you change your analytics game with connectors for effective data blending with APIs. Our Alteryx experts will be glad to assist you.
Let’s talk at info@nabler.com