Help needed on best way to connect input data automatically.

Question

Hi,  We receive data daily via email in the form of Excel files, which we currently save to a local network folder. These files always follow the same format, and this structure has already been incorporated into my Alteryx workflow.  What I would like to do is automate the process so that the incoming data is fed into Alteryx each day without any manual intervention. I’m open to different approaches, such as connecting directly to a folder, email, or Slack. From my research, it seems that all of these options should be possible, but many articles mention tools (such as Directory, Dynamic Input, or Download) that I can’t see available in the Cloud Designer.

Could anyone advise on the best way to automate the ingestion of this daily input data using Alteryx Cloud? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

ellenpalin · Answer

Thank you for your advice.  Unfortunately I cannot see any way to edit the file path.

When I go to the import tool, I am only seeing 2 options, neither of which seems to have the ability to edit the file path for the data;

1.  Connect to Data - allows me to pick a data file that has already been imported.

2. Upload Data - Allows me to select a specific file from my file explorer for upload.

If I go to Data, I can see the uploaded files, and have the following options against each data file already uploaded (none of which seem to allow me to edit the file path.  'Edit Name and Description' only changes the data name, not the file path from where the data is saved)  What am I missing?

Thanks!

OTrieger · Answer

@ellenpalin 
With Input Data tool you can use a static path to a specific folder, select one file that in that folder and then change the file name to * keep the .xlsx. In this way any xlsx file in that folder will be opened. so if the static path is "\...\...\Input\file1.xlsx" change it to "\...\...\Input\*.xlsx"