topic Re: Dynamically creating filename in Alteryx Designer Desktop Discussions

Dynamically creating filename

Vamsee_kris — Thu, 24 May 2018 01:40:23 GMT

Hi team,

I was looking to create a parameter which would take a string value from user and add that to the filename creation. (Dynamic way to do it )

Example :- I have Dev,Prod and Test regions and I am trying suffix a string to filename based on the region that I run the flow.

filename:- Cust_DEV_TimeStamp.txt or Cust_PRD_Timestamp.txt or Cust_TST_Timestamp.txt

Any help appreciated.

Re: Dynamically creating filename

jdunkerley79 — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 12:24:15 GMT

In the output tool there is an option to take the file/table name from a field.

You can use an Append Fields tool to add a single field value to all rows and then this option would let you append a suffix to the filename.

If you want it in the middle as you showed then you would need to use a formula tool to create the required filename

Re: Dynamically creating filename

Vamsee_kris — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 13:25:14 GMT

Thanks for your quick reponse .

But I want it to be added to the filename it does not come along with data from start . When I follow these approach I have to create 3 different fields and have three stings init like DEV,PRD and TST. at have to choose one everytime getting into flow.

Re: Dynamically creating filename

AndrewW — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 13:36:59 GMT

jdunkerleys suggestion is good. How do you know whether you're in DEV, PRD or TST? Can this be identified in the data? How does Alteryx know in which it is running?

Re: Dynamically creating filename

Vamsee_kris — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 13:57:12 GMT

that is the reason, I would like see if alteryx accepts any dynamic parameter during the run time. when I pass the parameter that should get assigned to a field and as said I can use that field in output component.

Re: Dynamically creating filename

AndrewW — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:07:23 GMT

There could be ways - for example if the directory you're saving the workflow contains the environment you could parse that value and add it to the file name.

You could also drive the workflow from a config file and pass in the variables from a config file - this is how I'm currently working to prevent making changes to the workflow as I move between environments, I just update the config file.

Re: Dynamically creating filename

jdunkerley79 — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:11:10 GMT

You could do this in an analytic app or have a user constant on the workflow

Re: Dynamically creating filename

Vamsee_kris — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:11:49 GMT

Can you help me with more information on config file changes if possible ?

Re: Dynamically creating filename

jdunkerley79 — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:25:38 GMT

The simplest way would be to have a text file in the same location as the workflow and use an input tool to read it in.

You can then take the first row and append the field to the other data flow.

~~Will post a sample in a few minutes~~

Re: Dynamically creating filename

AndrewW — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 14:21:51 GMT

Sure, create a simple text file containing the variables you want to load into the workflow. This text file should be an Input into the workflow. Depending on how you move between environments - personally I have a folder structure that's replicated in each enviroment, use the .. (relative references) for my config file Input, meaning when I copy a workflow between environments it automatically points to the config file within the 'new' environment - assuming the config file is in the same relative location in the different environments.

When moving between environments I copy the macros and workflows only. My config file is always a fixed Input Data tool with a relative reference - Options - Workflow Dependencies. Other inputs are Dynamic Inputs with the file path of the input taken from the config file.

Sorry, not so easy to explain in words. I also can't upload screenshots with the IT settings here (feel free to upvote this and put more pressure on the forum provider to make this happen http://community.alteryx.com/t5/Suggestions-For-Our-Community/Paste-images-directly-into-discussions/idi-p/13104).

Re: Dynamically creating filename

Vamsee_kris — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 09:52:34 GMT

Thanks for your time and patience.

I got an thought here , can we do something we create Text Input dataset with have drop down component it and select it as assign to field and run the flow???

Re: Dynamically creating filename

jdunkerley79 — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:02:05 GMT

You could do this as an analytic app with a drop down input that would do that.

Attached a really simple example

Re: Dynamically creating filename

Vamsee_kris — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:06:31 GMT

This one seems to realistic , could help me with steps on how you created this.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Dynamically creating filename

jdunkerley79 — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:15:10 GMT

Add a drop down box from the interface tools and connect to a formula box

To keep it simple I used a fixed list of modes inside the drop down box:

On connected to a formula box (connect at the top) a new entry will appear in the variables tab of the formula tool:

You can then set up the formula to produce the required filename and add into the exisitng flow.

FInally save the workflow as an Analytic App:

Re: Dynamically creating filename

Vamsee_kris — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:38:16 GMT

Hi jdunkerley79,

This is what I have done by looking at the steps

1. Picked up drop down list (placed the values under it "DEV,TST,PRD)

2. Pulled formula box and joined it and save it as analytical app.

Still i am getting error missing saying incoming

Re: Dynamically creating filename

jdunkerley79 — Mon, 18 Apr 2016 10:56:33 GMT

You need to add the data flow to the formula tool. This is just a formula to create a file name that an output tool can use to save the data to.