Output Tool and Delimiters for .CSV file & Input Data tool

Hello Professionals,

Much appreciated to help me understand a couple questions below:

1/ Output tool: how different setups for the two attached questions. The solutions checked the same box and selected the same Field Agency in the bottom left corner? What the output files look like (both the file links and the file names) between these two questions? On my end, when running, looks like Alteryx messed up all the outputs, so I'm confused. Any clear explanations to make me understand is much appreciated.

2/ Running the Output the 1st time (write new) successfully without an error. Haven't changed anything but run the Output the 2nd time, the output shows an error. How to fix this error?

3/ What is the delimiter for the CSV input file? Is it a dot or a comma? Does the Text Input have any delimiters? If yes, what is it? Any instruction to help me learn more about Alteryx is much thankful.

4/ What tools in Preparation can save the string/expression data?

Thank you,

Screenshot 2024-03-15 221940.png

output_try_it.yxzp

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Accepted answers

caltang

These look like SparkED / Academy materials - they're basically teaching you how to output to multiple files, multiple sheets, multiple sheets in multiple files, and having to delimit your output as well.

I would say - you can split each section out and run them one by one to learn more effectively.

Before anything else, I think you should go through this KB article first: https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/Output-to-multiple-sheets-within-an-Excel-file-1583459117177

Try this and grasp the concept before going to the other points.

caltang

@hlannguyen I've made some changes for you so you can learn them better.

output_try_it_caltang.yxzp

caltang

Also, there was something on relative paths - check it out here: https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/How-To-Use-Relative-Paths-1583459124006#:~:text=After%20the%20inputs%20and%20outputs,convert%20everything%20to%20relative%20paths.

caltang

You don't have to hard code it, I did it just to show you a different approach. Usually, if you hard code, you can dynamically change it with interface tools later. This allows the end user flexibility to decide where to save their files if you give them an analytic app or if you go on the Server later. But these are topics which are more advanced than your current workflow - so let's get back to that.

You can copy the path from your document folder you wish to save in and put the path in the formula tool. That I think is a better way - alternatively you can skip the hard coding part and use the Output tool as is, but you'll encounter some bumps especially with writing out many sheets, many files with many sheets, or even overwriting current sheets that may or may not exist.

caltang

Your output path in the formula tool is incorrect, and because it is overwriting your output tool option - therefore the error appears whereby the path does not exist. It does not exist because it is wrong.

It is wrong because you forgot to include one more “/“ after Output folder path. Remember, your directory path has to end with “/“, then followed by your file name, then file extension (.CSV/.XLSX for example), then if you have sheets - this is optional - you can include ||| three bars to show to Alteryx the following statements after the bars are your sheet names. Since it’s CSV, you can skip the last bit.

Try it and let me know.

caltang

Cheers buddy! Let me know if you need anything else.

caltang

Okay - let me break it down for you one by one...

For No. 6, the Block Until Done requirement is in place and they want it to be output first - so if you look at the Block Until Done tool, the 1st output leads to No. 6, which explains why No. 5 skips to No. 7, because No. 6 has already been exported out.
No. 5 is supposed to only have 1 file, 1 sheet. So this is working as intended.
No. 7 you will have 54 files, each with 1 sheet. I see 54 output files in a secondary folder I made, to make it easier to see. Not sure what is wrong with yours, but look at my config and path to make sure it leads to a secondary folder, then you can see all your ouputs better.
For No. 3 and No. 4, you are right. I selected the wrong output format - it should be "Overwrite Sheet or Range" and NOT "Overwrite File (Remove)".

I've attached the workflow again, try this new one and it should work for you. Sorry mate!

output_try_it_caltang.yxzp

caltang

Your output path for No. 7...

"C:\Users\hlann\OneDrive\Desktop\Alteryx\Core Certification\Data Preparation\Output\output_try_it_LN\Output\No 7" + ""
+[Agency] + ".csv"

Why don't you try...

"C:\Users\hlann\OneDrive\Desktop\Alteryx\Core Certification\Data Preparation\Output\output_try_it_LN\Output\No 7" + "\"
+[Agency] + ".csv"

Make sure you have a subfolder in Output folder called "No 7" subfolder. Then try again - you forgot the "\"!

All comments

caltang

I would say - you can split each section out and run them one by one to learn more effectively.

Before anything else, I think you should go through this KB article first: https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/Output-to-multiple-sheets-within-an-Excel-file-1583459117177

Try this and grasp the concept before going to the other points.

hlannguyen

Thank you @caltang for the link. May I ask how to split each section out? Does that mean save this .yxmd file in different names?

Regarding the SparkED / Academy materials, do you mean this link below? Or you indicate some other link that I don't know? Appreciate your help.

Getting Started Learning Path - Alteryx Community

Thank you,

caltang

@hlannguyen I've made some changes for you so you can learn them better.

output_try_it_caltang.yxzp

caltang

hlannguyen

Thank you so much @caltang for the Output updates and relative path. This really helps me learn.

I'm using your attached package. I have another question: The outputs 3, 4, & 7 keep saying "cannot find the path specified" though I went to check "Workflow Dependencies" and changed the path for No 7.

File Error.png

Relative Path.png

Change Path to write to File or Database.png

caltang

Great! Yes because if you look at the formula tool, I hard coded the path to my own computer. If you change the path to where you want, you should be able to run it. Check out the Formula tool and follow what I've done. That is the best way to learn!

hlannguyen

I saw your hard code in the Formula Tool. I was trying to figure out if there's some way to directly link the path from my computer, but all I saw is the list of the formulas to select from. No way to link the path from my computer. Do you know if Alteryx requires that we have to hard code the path in the Formula or there's a way to do it? I mean I saved the Output to my computer but still shows the error. That means no Output files generated for No 3, 4, & 7.

caltang

Hi @hlannguyen I'm actually doing a project right now and it's quite hard for me to respond fast - Do you mind waiting for a bit?

I'll just say please check your folders again, because for the multi-csv output, it's supposed to output multiple CSVs with 1 sheet each. You should check the externals folder or check your formula again if possible

hlannguyen

Hi @caltang ,

Appreciate your time. Please no need to be hurried and take your time for your project. I checked the external folders and they all are empty.

That's my question. For the multi CSVs and XSLXs, they should have created multi tabs in the same workbook, but they didn't.

caltang

Your output path for No. 7...

"C:\Users\hlann\OneDrive\Desktop\Alteryx\Core Certification\Data Preparation\Output\output_try_it_LN\Output\No 7" + ""
+[Agency] + ".csv"

Why don't you try...

"C:\Users\hlann\OneDrive\Desktop\Alteryx\Core Certification\Data Preparation\Output\output_try_it_LN\Output\No 7" + "\"
+[Agency] + ".csv"

Make sure you have a subfolder in Output folder called "No 7" subfolder. Then try again - you forgot the "\"!

hlannguyen

Thanks so much @caltang. Successful. Looks like the No 3 & No 4 Outputs are the same contents just different file names.

No 4 Counties2.xlsx

No 3 Counties2.xlsx

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