Comparison between xlsx, xlsb and CSV when running batch macro(different schema)

Hi Community,

I would like to ask about the type of excels files used ,ie :xlsx ,xlsb and csv when importing the file via batch macro (different schema).

May I know which type of excel file in Alteryx ,when we running the batch macro, it Is able to extract the file name and tab name for each excel file.

Secondly, in order to allow the Alteryx to read the tab name of excel file, may I know how consistency that the tab name need to be so that Alteryx can recognised them successfully?

Out of these three files, may I know which type of excel files are more compatible when running batch macro in Alteryx?

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Accepted answers

CokeLuke

Time stamp column is just extra... informs me or the user what time a file is being processed. Likewise for the comment tool - informs the user that files are being processed in the Dynamic Input tool one at a time.

Dynamic input requires the entire file path and that file is the "template". Since this is a batch macro, you will not encounter files being skipped because the file doesn't match the template.

Designers choice to process/summarize data in the batch macro or in the main workflow.

See attached.

BatchMacro.yxmc

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CokeLuke

In my batch macros, I typically import xlsx and csv files.

Using directory tool, one can determine the file names/pass them to the batch macro. I now use the message tool to show the file and timestamp when it batches through..

With sheets, you might want to see this post Input multiple Excel sheets or tabs at once - Alteryx Community entrée de données eingabedaten

Typically csv files only have one sheet/tab.

SH_94

Hi @CokeLuke ,

Thank you for the great information.

Can I clarify with you on the following :

1. As my data files mostly are in xlsb format and would like to ask whether it is more suitable to change it to other format ,ie : xlsx before importing it into the Alteryx. Currently, my only concern is my data mostly in xlsb and have different schema (May contain different tab within one excel file).I just worry that I need to configure a lot in Alteryx before able to use them.(which I think I don’t have enough knowledge yet to deal with it)

2.I heard about the directory tool before but never used it .Could you briefly explain on what is the purpose of we using it when dealing with macro?

Do you have any recommendations on the article or discussion about different schema? As currently I have a lot of file with have different structures but there are some consistency between all the files ,ie : some header column have the same name across all.

I have the macro with me but so far I only know how to use it for the same schema. I haven’t try to use the Macro for different schema and I not sure if there are any additional tools that I need to learn before using it

Lastly, thank you for the article shared.

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