Output 0 Records

MadeInHB

So I have built a workflow that will filter outputs based on Month.  It doesn't take into account year.  Once the month has passed, 0 records will be passed through into that month's output.

I am curious on the output.  It appears in my testing that Alteryx will not over right a yxdb if there are 0 records.  The yxdb appears to have kept all the records from the last run with records based on the formula.

I just want to verify my thinking.  Workflow runs through out the month.  Yxdb is saved.  Then when 0 records show up, Alteryx will not overwrite that yxdb with 0 records correct?

MarqueeCrew

@MadeInHB,

Alteryx will save over a file with data if you tell it to write to that file (even if there are 0 records).  Would you like to know a trick to prevent that?  Don't share it with anyone else!

Spoiler

Create a "Filename" variable and give it a formula like:

IIF([Count] = 0,"Zero Data","My outputfile")

Now in your output, you can take table/file name from variable and select that option.  Take the filename and remove it from output.  When there is data, it uses the "My outputfile" name and when there is 0 data, it writes to a harmless file.

Cheers,

Mark