Write Output into Input file

Question

Hello,

Is there a way I can write my output into the file I use as Input?

For example, I'm using an excel file as Input and would like to write my output into the same file in a different sheet, do I need to manually choose that file or is there a way I can just update my input file automatically? Will there be an error because I'm using it in the same workflow?

Thanks!

MarqueeCrew · Accepted Answer

@LinhNguyen ,

You can use a BLOCK UNTIL DONE tool just before your output or just after the input.  Now everything is ready for a read and write.

Cheers,

Mark

rafalolbert · Accepted Answer

Hi LinhNguyen,

Building on MarqueeCrew's spot-on solution, a small addition from me to answer your latest question is in attached workflow file.

You can derive file name or the entire path by selecting 'Output File Name as Field' - options are: 'Full Path', 'File Name Only' or default: 'No'.

You can use Formula tool to manipulate the value to point to a new sheet, please notice the specific format for Excel output as: file name with extension followed by "|||" and sheet name like: "input.xlsx|||Sheet1"

Have fun and all the best!

Thanks,

Rafal

#Excuse me, do you speak Alteryx?

rafalolbert · Accepted Answer

Hi LinhNguyen,

Updated workflows are attached.

I've used Regex tool to dynamically get the input tab name: .+\|\|\|(.+) - this is extracting anything that follows 3x pipes (this is a reserved characted and thus needs to be escaped).

Following this a Formula tool is replacing the above value with new tab name.

All this should be achievable within a single Formula tool and one of the Regex function, but I always prefer to use dedicated tool as it's more explicit.

Thanks,

Rafal