Random Sample from Multiple Files

Hi All! I'm relatively new to Alteryx, hoping this is an easy ask.

I have 200 excel files that I need to pull random samples from. I am looking for 10 random records from each file unioned together into one output file (so 2000 records total in the output). Is this something I'd use a macro for? All of the files are located in the same folder.

Thanks in advance!

Macros

Help

Accepted answers

danilang

Hi @efaherty

You only need a macro for this if the schema is different in any of the files. If they are the same, then you can use the following

Use a wild card to read all the workbooks from the directory. Add a random number to each row. Sort by filename and random number. Use a Sample tool to extract the first X records for each file from sorted dataset.

Dan

RandomFromFiles.yxzp

All comments

apathetichell

Yes. you need a macro. at least one.

I'd recommend reading up on how to use a batch macro to pull in multiple files with multiple schema (assuming they have multiple schema). I do not know what you are doing with multiple sheets but that is often a consideration. The sample tool part is easy as you can just connect that prior to the macro output...