Write File Error (Output File) Even with Block Until Done

Question

Hi everyone,

I'm having an issue with my workflow. I'm getting an output error stating that it is "unable to open file for write..." to my output file. The attached workflow outputs to the same excel file, and I usually get this error only for one tool (it varies each time).

I have block until done tools before every single output date tool and I'm still getting the error. Am I missing something?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Workflow - Q1 2022 FAS123R v4-scrap.yxmd

EdP · Answer

Additional suggestions can be found here:  https://knowledge.alteryx.com/index/s/article/Error-writing-Excel-file-to-Shared-Drive

haphan_tran · Answer

I took a deep dive into this issue in this post, please take a look
Writing to multiple Excel Sheets in the same files... - Alteryx Community

mceleavey · Answer

Hi @shungui ,

Wow, I don't even know where to begin with that!

First, are you writing to the same sheet multiple times?

Second, are you aware you don't need to filter the data into multiple streams to output, you can simply create an output location and filename in a formula, such as:

and then use this functionality in the output tool:

This will make your workflow infinitely cleaner and easy to read.

The reason you are getting the error is probably because you are trying to write to the same file (maybe a different tab within the file) multiple times, and Alteryx is still writing one output as you are trying to write the second.

I suggest tidying up your workflow so we can read it, then wrapping the output tool in a batch macro and using the method shown above. Use the "Fullpath" field as your batch macro value.

If you are unfamiliar with batch macros, try the following resources:

A great article and starting point by @EricWe :

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Knowledge-Base/Getting-Started-with-Batch-Macros/ta-p/488165

And the Batch Macro help page:

https://help.alteryx.com/20214/designer/batch-macro

A worked example of using the "Take File/Table Name from Field" functionality:

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Knowledge-Base/How-to-Dynamically-rename-output-files/ta-p/27449

The help page for the output tool:

https://help.alteryx.com/20214/designer/output-data-tool

I hope this is useful. If you're still struggling, feel free to DM me and I can jump on a quick call to explain further.

M.