Set Input File Name and Workflow Constants via File

Hello,

I currently have a workflow that prompts the user for two file inputs and a date via text box and action tools:

The two filename prompts update the file that is imported, and the date prompt is used in the formula tool through a reference shortcut "%Question.Date%".

Ideally, I would like the user to load in a file with these inputs instead of entering it in manually via prompts. A user would load in a file like this:

And the workflow will know to

1. Update Input Data tool 1 to use Inputfile1

2. Update Input Data tool 2 to use Inputfile2

3. Save the "Date" value into a workflow constant "%Question.Date%" that I can refer to using a reference shortcut in the workflow

Is it possible to load in "Prompt inputs" or workflow constants via a file input? My Sample workflow is attached with the inputfiles.

Thanks

Inputfile2.xlsx

Inputfile1.xlsx

UserInput.yxwz

Workflow

Datasets

Interface Tools

Accepted answers

binu_acs

@terrence10 if you dont want the user to interact with the drop down then use the batch macro to read the path from input file and do the processing, sample workflow attached

UserInput_Updated.yxzp

All comments

binu_acs

@terrence10 Try the file browser tool

UserInput.yxwz

terrence10

Thanks for the reply @binu_acs

My goal is to have the user not have to fill in prompts. Just load in a file with all the inputs.

This file browser tool will still require the user to browse for the file and manually input the file location.

This can be quite time consuming filling in all these paths as the number of inputs increase.

binu_acs

@terrence10 Another option make it available in the drop-down for the users to select, you can also hard code the same in the input text tool and call in the drop-down tool

UserInput.yxwz

terrence10

Thanks for the input @binu_acs . That is a good idea to "pre-populate" the files a user can select. However, the directory where the input files will change constantly -- it won't always be in one directory. I do not want to re-save a workflow version every time input directory changes. Input1 and input2 could be in different directories, and this could be quite time consuming if a user has to make a dropdown selection for 5+ inputs.

I think loading a file with all input locations would be the easiest / fastest for the user.

binu_acs

@terrence10 If your files are in different locations it is very difficult to populate in the text tool or drop-down tool, One option is to mention full path of the file locations into a text input tool then populate respective interface tool

terrence10

Ah, yes that is my current setup to prompt for full path of file locations.

Instead of having a user fill out prompts, I want a user load in a file (like below) that has the full path locations, and then Alteryx will import those files (+ load the "date" column into a workflow constant)

This will be useful if a workflow has many file inputs, so the user does not have to fill in each prompt for file locations.

terrence10

Revisiting this topic - is there a way for a user to input an excel file like this below and will:

1. Update Input Data tool 1 to use Inputfile1

2. Update Input Data tool 2 to use Inputfile2

3. Save the "Date" value into a workflow constant "%Question.Date%" that I can refer to using a reference shortcut in the workflow

Original test workflow and test input files attached.

@terrence10 it is possible

UserInput.yxzp

terrence10

Thanks @binu_acs ! I see that you are setting the file path to the column name -- and then feeding the dropdown values with the column name. I will have to tinker with this to see how to set file1 / file2 input path without the dropdown. If you bypass the dropdown, how would you select just "Column1" to input1, column 2 to Input2? If the filepath for input file changes - the column name will also change which may make things a bit tricky if you're using a select tool for column 1 and 2.

Maybe if a user fed a file in like this- and a filter tool can be used to load File1 into Input1, File2 into Input2?

Screenshot 2025-06-06 155041.png

Did you find anyway to load the date value into the workflow constant?

Thank you again for the help / ideas!

binu_acs

@terrence10 if you dont want the user to interact with the drop down then use the batch macro to read the path from input file and do the processing, sample workflow attached

UserInput_Updated.yxzp

terrence10

Thank you @binu_acs ! Makes sense to load values and then pass as a macro to input - will have to see what the best way to incorporate this into my workflow.

I see you also pass the date via the macro and update value-- guess there isn't an easy way to load this from file to workflow constant?

Thanks again!

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