Illegal Characters in Path Error When Saving Workflow to Server

Hello Alteryx Community,

We recently began transitioning our workflows to Server, and I’ve been able to successfully save most of them. However, I’m running into an issue with one specific workflow. When I attempt to save it to Server, I receive the following error: “Workflow was not saved due to Illegal characters in path.”

Initially, I thought the issue might be related to special characters in the workflow name. I changed it from:

SS_1_Culinary Step 2&3_12.22.25 to SS_1_Culinary Step 2_3_12.22.25

Unfortunately, I am still receiving the same error.

I also came across suggestions that this could be related to output configurations, specifically if the output paths do not include the

||| syntax. I did notice that some of my CSV outputs do not include ||| but I’m not entirely convinced that’s the root cause.

Has anyone experienced this issue before? If so, how were you able to resolve it? Any guidance or troubleshooting suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

Workflow

Server

Accepted answers

All comments

caltang

"|||" is for .xlsx, .csv does not have this.

Check if you have any of these:

< (less than)
> (greater than)
: (colon)
" (double quote)
/ (forward slash)
\ (backslash)
| (vertical bar or pipe)
? (question mark)
* (asterisk)
Non-printable ASCII control characters (0x00 through 0x1F)

Your updated filename still contains periods (.), I'm not sure if that's also causing the issue. Try "SS_1_Culinary_Step_2_3_12_22_25"?

@Lizbhernan

dreldrel

Hey @Lizbhernan, also check that all files and external dependencies are configured to use the right absolute or UNC paths in your workflow. For example, your workflow may reference a file from Z:\Location\ your local machine, but the Z:\ drive may not be mapped on the server in the same way. Therefore, the server cannot locate the file when uploading the workflow.

Lizbhernan

Hi @caltang I updated the filename to what you suggested and I still get the same error. I am reviewing the workflow dependencies and I don't see anything that may cause the issue. I'm including it on here for reference. I did hear that there's a character limit for paths, do you know if that is true? Also, where would I check for Non-printable ASCII control characters (0x00 through 0x1F)?

Tysm for your help btw.

Workflow dependencies screenshot.png

alexnajm

@Lizbhernan coming from the other thread where you tagged me, I'm in the same line of thinking as @caltang so probably best to trial a very simple name like "test workflow" and see what happens. If it's not that, then move onto the file paths you are inputting/outputting in the workflow

Getting the workflow as well would also be useful!

Lizbhernan

@alexnajm Okay just tried renaming the WF to Culinary Test and still have illegal characters in path. Do you know where would I check for Non-printable ASCII control characters (0x00 through 0x1F)?

Imaizumi

@Lizbhernan check the file path also as @alexnajm out.

Your file path include &, could be an issue
Also, if the file path are too long, that could be an issue too.

So maybe try and put it in a test folder like \\vulture\dept\test\TestWorkflow.yxmd and test it.

Lizbhernan

Hi @Imaizumi All my workflows are saved to a path that has & and none have had an issue and have been loaded into server with no issues. I did hear that the path cant be longer than 250 characters so I will need to shorten some of the paths that seem to be longer than the 250 characters and see if that works.

Thank you for your suggestion🙂

Lizbhernan

Hello everyone,

Thank you for all of your suggestions, I really appreciate the help. I was tied up with another project and wasn’t able to follow up sooner.

I’ve tried several of the recommendations, but I’m still unable to identify what’s causing the illegal character issue.

@caltang , I also saved the workflow using your suggestion (SS_1_Culinary Step 2 and 3_12_22_25), but I’m still encountering the same error.

I’ve reviewed the file paths as well, but didn’t find anything unusual. I’ve attached the workflow here in hopes that someone with more Alteryx experience might be able to help. This is the first time I’ve run into this issue, so any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

@alexnajm @Imaizumi @dreldrel

SS_1_Culinary Step 2 and 3_12_22_25.yxmd

alexnajm

At this stage I think it is best to submit a ticket

Lizbhernan

I'll do that, thank you @alexnajm

DavidP

Hi @Lizbhernan

When dealing with file path issues in a workflow, I usually like opening the workflow in a text editor such as Notepad ++ to investigate the underlining XML.

I've made a few minor tweaks to your workflow, including removing all reference to the F: drive and replacing it with the UNC path.

There is still one thing that concerns me, apart from the "&" in the folder paths, which is a comma in the filename for tool 458 on line 2509 in the XML.

\\vulture\dept\Finance Shared Service Center\Payroll\UNIONS\27 - ALL UNIONS\Union Workflow Mapping Tables\Culinary\Grandfather Master List H&W , Pension overrides 9.12.2024.xlsx|||`Eligibility$`

I'm not sure if this will cause Server an issue, but in general, I prefer to keep commas, dots and other special characters out of folder paths and filenames.

Anyway, have a try and see if my tweaks perhaps resolves your problem.

SS_1_Culinary Step 2 and 3_12_22_25.yxmd

Quick Links

This months top contributors

atcodedog05 19458

Qiu 15866

binu_acs 15708

MarqueeCrew 13708

apathetichell 13703