Append Data Quarterly

Question

I have a workflow that ends with an output that contains 2020 data. For every quarter in 2021, I will run this workflow again to capture the new quarter’s data. I want to take the output for Q1 2021 and append it to the 2020 data that was already run and saved. I am saving these outputs as both Tableau hyper extracts (.hyper) and alteryx databases (.yxdb)

What is the easiest and most efficient way to do this append every quarter?

Thanks in advance!

skeen503979 · Answer

@esjohnston

Oh, I see what you're saying.  No, when outputting as an Alteryx database format the Output tool doesn't let you edit where the data goes.  It just creates the database.  Since that's the output format you're wanting it would be better to Union the end of your workflow (new data) with the old version from the previous results.  As a practice, personally, I avoid appending data but rather replace the entire file with updated data.  Sometimes historical data may be corrected/updated or something could accidentally get overwritten without knowing.  I think it's cleaner to start fresh each time with the data, but that's just me. 🙂

esjohnston · Answer

I see that output data is for an xlsx. will this work for Alteryx Databases (.yxdb) and (.tde / .hyper) Tableau extracts as well?

skeen503979 · Answer

@esjohnston

As long as the 2021 output is the same format as the 2020 file, you should be able to just use the Union tool to combine historical and new data.  Then configure the Output Data tool to "Append To Existing Sheet" in option/row 3.

Hope that helps!