How to dynamically read multiple filtered files in a folder

emmazyan

I’m working on a workflow where I need to read multiple files from a specific folder. However, I don’t want to read all files in the folder — only a few specific ones.

I’ve already used the Directory tool along with some Filter and Formula tools to identify exactly the files I need (based on file name patterns, etc.). Now I have a list of full file paths I want to load.

Since these file names were generated mid-workflow (not at the beginning), what’s the best way to open these files dynamically? I’m dealing with [CSV / Excel] files.

Thanks in advance!

abacon

@emmazyan For CSV files, look at this thread.

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Help-consolidating-multiple-csv-files-with-similar-data-but/m-p/1392165#M345336

For Excel files, you will use the same workflow, just tweak the macro to take, xlsx files, and you will need to list the file path including '|||[yoursheetname]' at the end to pass into the macro. The first macro in the workflow gets sheet names and the second macro gets the data out of the files.

Let me know if this doesn't work for you, this is the right process just might need some tweaking for your specific use case.

abacon