Batch Macro "Error opening File" but runs just fine inside of itself?

Question

Hello All,

I have a simplistic macro that takes XLS (Excel 97) files and opens them, as can be seen below:

And it has worked fine for about 12 months. Today i edited it to add in a an extra column before the output. This works fine when i run the macro, it takes the XLS file which is a UNC pathway and would output the data.

However, if i now run it as part of the flow, i get the error:

Record #1: Tool #1: Error opening the file "\xxxx\xxxxx\xxxx\xxxxx\xxxxx\xxxx\Filename.xls|||`Sheet1$A11:L20000`": The system cannot find the file specified. (2)

Now what it can not find is the file that is basically the starting one in the above listed macro. But that file does exist at that very exact path and you can open it using that path in excel, windows and even Altreyx, and also in the macro. But try and use the macro to actually process data and it falls flat with not being able to find that file.

What is going on? Why this file and none of the others? I have even restored this file and it won't work, nor will changing the file to another file.

Sorry i cant share the file

Thanks

ChrisTX · Answer

In my experience, there is likely nothing specific you can look for.  Alteryx, like all software, has bugs.

Recently I had strange intermittent issues with a large workflow.  Copying all of the tools and pasting into a fresh new workflow fixed the issues.

Right now, I'm working around two issues that are likely bugs in version 2022.3.  One is where the Find/Replace (CTRL+F on the canvas) doesn't always work.  I have to close and reopen the workflow, then it works fine.  Just need to find the time to report it to Alteryx support.

Chris

Bobbins · Answer

Recreating this macro solves the problem, but what should I be looking for so that I dont have this problem again?