How would I tell my "input" tool to first look in X directory, then Y if X doesnt exist?

AkisM

Let's assume that my files of interest will not always be located in the same directory, but I know the 2 potential locations. Problem is, one directory will be visible to alteryx, but the other not (let's say the same workflow may be run in different environments, where one of the two paths won't exist, but you want it to work in both environments without having different versions of the workflow). I'm trying to avoid a solution like "Just use 2 directory/input tools pointing to each path", as one of the 2 tools by nature will always error with the msg "Invalid directory X, the system cannot find the path specified" or "File not found" (depending on which type of tool is used), and potentially break all downstream processing.

Is there a more elegant/dynamic way of having a sort of input looking first in X directory for all files, and if no such directory is found, look in Y directory, in a way that the workflow does not break downstream due to a "non existent" path?

Thanks in advance.

Felipe_Ribeir0

Hi @AkisM 

What do you think about this idea?

1)As you have different folders for different users, and each user has his own username, you can get the username of the machine
Include Username in Workflow - Alteryx Community

2)As you know the username of the machine, you can develop the logic to select the right directory for the right username

3)You can pass the right directory to a macro and replace the directory input of the macro.

The workflow is attached.

If the provided answer helped you to solve the problem/was correct, please accept it as a solution

Thanks.

DIRECTORY_BY_USER.yxzp