Import CSV that doesn't start on the first row?

Hi there,
I have a large (2GB) CSV file, and unfortunately for some reason the first 3 rows contain some notes. The headers are in row 4, and the data is all below that. Is there anyway in Alteryx to import this data and skip the first 3 rows and use row 4 for headers?

Thanks so much
Ben

Input

Preparation

Accepted answers

Ned

You have to read it by hand, but its not that hard.

Use a CSV input with the delimiter set to \0 to read it raw (make sure to specify a large data size too)
Use a sample tool to skip 1st 3 rows
Use a Text to Columns tool to parse on Comma
Use a select tool to remove the original field
Use a Dynamic Rename tool to take fields from 1st row

tom_montpool

There's a post on the Ideas page that deals with roughly the same issue. Here's a link: Specify-the-row-where-data-starts

As usual, Ned has a different way of accomplishing the task because he's awesome!

All comments

Ned

You have to read it by hand, but its not that hard.

Use a CSV input with the delimiter set to \0 to read it raw (make sure to specify a large data size too)
Use a sample tool to skip 1st 3 rows
Use a Text to Columns tool to parse on Comma
Use a select tool to remove the original field
Use a Dynamic Rename tool to take fields from 1st row

tom_montpool

cbridges

OK, I'm new here, but I think this issue is ridiculous. I think Alteryx is a very powerful tool, and its inability to do something so very simple is crazy.

CailinS

I agree Alteryx is very powerful! One of my favorite things about Alteryx is that while you wait for features to be added (I hope you starred the Idea entry linked above!), you can often build a macro to do the job. I spent about 20 minutes building this out and testing it. I made some assumptions here (1. your file has headers and 2. you know what row they are on) but I believe this shows how in one tool (at least in regards to appearance and number of drag-and-drops) this can be solved. Please feel free to open up the macro to see exaclty how I accomplished this. It is by no means comprehensive of all possible configurations, but I believe it demonstrates the capability. You could also add additional Interface tools and connect them appropriately to make it more flexible!

CSVHeaderMacro.yxmc

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