Uploading zip files to Alteryx Server

Question

I've built an analytic app that takes uploaded zip files and unzips them next to the location of the zip file. This is supported by a File Browse which goes into an action tool and updates a text tool. I'm having issues in Server where I have a validation to check if the file path is empty, and when I try to run it in Server, the validation pops up each time. When I upload the file, I don't get a 'file unsupported' error, however I've added a message tool to show the exact file path and the file path is always blank.

I understand that Alteryx Server does not natively support .zip file uploads, however I expect a large number of files to be uploaded each time and I don't want my flow to have a bunch of file selects as this would be really cumbersome for the end user. The files would be different each time and I also don't have the option to use a shared drive location.

Does anyone know of a good workaround to be able to run this?

Thanks in advance.

WirkKarl · Accepted Answer

Alteryx Server doesn’t natively handle .zip uploads via the File Browse in apps, so the file path often comes up blank. A common workaround is to have users upload the zip files to a network or cloud location first (like S3, Azure Blob, or a shared folder) and then have your app reference that folder instead of uploading directly. Another approach is to use a web form or API endpoint to accept the zip, save it to a temporary folder on the server, and then let your workflow process it. Direct uploads through File Browse on Server just aren’t supported for dynamic zip handling.