Getting error 'The system cannot find the specified file' on the Email tool.

Good morning, community.

Hoping that someone can help.

I have a simple workflow in Alteryx Designer that creates an output file and emails it as an attachment.

The Formula tool creates a dynamic variable that it is used as the file name and the Email tool should identify the file to be attached based on that dynamic variable.

The file is successfully created, however, I am getting the error message 'The system cannot find the file specified'.

The AMP engine is not being used.

Output tool.jpg

Email tool.jpg

Formula Tool.jpg

Accepted answers

binu_acs

@Glopez76 Can you update the full path in the variable "DynFileName" (Z:\...)then use the change entire path from the output tool

All comments

Mathias_Nielsen

Hi,

I think you need to connect the output tool to the "1" anchor in the block tool. The block until done will run 1, then 2.... Right now it is just running 2 as there is nothing to finish at 1 first. Hope this made sense

2024-09-30_15-26-11.png

Glopez76

Hi Mathias, thank you for replying.

I made that change but the error persists.

Mathias_Nielsen

Can you open the file using the DynFileName being passed to the email tool?

I am trying to figure out if it is a filename error or a workflow error

Glopez76

Do you mean if I can open the resulting csv file on my pc? If so, yes, I can open it.

Mathias_Nielsen

Well then you could try this (See photo)

Using the control containers you can run one container after the other. Make sure to connect the containers like in the photo.

Using the control containers requires the AMP engine to be turned on

2024-09-30_15-50-21.png

binu_acs

@Glopez76 Can you update the full path in the variable "DynFileName" (Z:\...)then use the change entire path from the output tool

Glopez76

Thank you, @binu_acs, this solved the problem. Can you explain why this was needed, as opposed to just change the file name?

Glopez76

@Mathias_Nielsen, I was looking for a way to implement your design with the control containers when @binu_acs suggested something that solved the problem. I don't seem to have the 'control container' functionality for some reason but I will look into this because it actually solves another design problem I'm facing. Thank you for your help.

binu_acs

@Glopez76 it should get saved in the path mentioned in your variable DynFilename variable, you can also check the result window where you will see the file name saved.

Glopez76

I found those files. Thank you.

apathetichell

tl dr - but you need to generate your file first (output data) and then read it in (email). you also need to connect both sides to the block until done.

Glopez76

Yes, thank you, @apathetichell. That was another design flaw that I needed to correct. The workflow seemed to be working without the Output tool being connected to the Block Until Done tool but I'm thinking the Email tool was emailing a certain amount of records but not the entirety of them.

apathetichell

@Glopez76 - if you are appending data to the excel file - yes. that's possible.

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