Dynamic Input Field Matching

Question

I am combining previous forecasts to compare changes. Over time, a few field names have been added/delete/renamed. Of the 10 files found in the folder, only the CurrentVersion (which is the template) was imported and the others all get warnings saying xxx.hyper has a different number of fields than the 1st file in the set and will be skipped. There is a select tool to rename the ones that have been renamed. I want all others to show up, where available, and if not present, still import and union the rest of the fields. What did I do wrong? I also have a field mapping file that I have attached if necessary, but I don't know how to employ it in the flow.

The data is clearly getting past the input tool, is it just not writing?

Alteryx.png

Field Renames.xlsx

dreldrel · Answer

One way you can do it is to have a text input with your expected columns and one empty blank row, then use a union tool for the last step to make sure you have consistent columns. Hope this helps, feel free to like the comment

KGT · Answer

I imagine that the Dynamic Input will skip the files with different metadata as it doesn't fit the template. In this situation, the easiest option is to change to a Batch Macro.

Take a look at these links and there is a ton of posts on the community around using a Batch Macro for Input, often for Excel files, but this should be simpler.

* https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/The-Ultimate-Input-Data-Flowchart-1583459854309
* https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Batch-Macro-Input-for-csv/td-p/743592