Which tool in Alteryx is used to connect to various data sources?

The Input Data tool is specifically designed to connect to a variety of data sources such as databases, flat files, and cloud services. Its primary function is to establish a connection and retrieve data from these sources, making it a key component in the data preparation process within Alteryx.

By using the Input Data tool, users can easily access and incorporate external data into their workflows, allowing for comprehensive analysis and manipulation later in the process. It's versatile and supports numerous formats, which is essential for users working with different types of data inputs.

In contrast, the other tools serve different purposes: the Join tool is utilized for combining two data streams based on common fields, the Formula tool is used for creating new calculations or modifying existing data within a dataset, and the Output Data tool is intended for writing or exporting processed data to the desired destination. Each of these tools has its own specific role, but none of them are designed to connect to data sources like the Input Data tool does.