topic Re: Blob Tool on Alteryx Server in Alteryx Server Discussions

Blob Tool on Alteryx Server

Eswartz_5200 — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:54:41 GMT

I am using the Blob tool utilize an excel template for an Alteryx workflow. I have no issues with this working on the local machines. However, when I upload to the server the template is saved to a local drive and only the two excel outputs are available download on the server by the users. Is there something different in the way that the Blob tool needs to be set-up on the server vs on the local machines?

Re: Blob Tool on Alteryx Server

fmvizcaino — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 14:49:16 GMT

Hi @Eswartz_5200 ,

Do you want the templates to be also available for download? Or do you want your outputs to use the template you just generated and then have this available for download?

Best,

Fernando Vizcaino

Re: Blob Tool on Alteryx Server

Eswartz_5200 — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:16:31 GMT

@fmvizcaino I'm looking for the outputs to utilize the templates. I have pivot tables built out in the template that are relying on the two excel tabs being populated. The template itself does not need to be available for download.

Re: Blob Tool on Alteryx Server

fmvizcaino — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:55:31 GMT

Got it, thanks for the clarification @Eswartz_5200 .

The issue is that, for your template to be used, the output file must be saved to the same folder where your template is located. Since you are sharing the output with the end-users, Alteryx will use a temp folder to generate the file.

This will be an easy fix since you understand how to use the blob tools.

Save the output file to the same shared folder where the templates are located
Add a second step in each block until done tool (very similar to the one you created for the template)
1. Load the output file just created to a blob and have a blob output generating an xlsx file
2. This blob output will be the asset checked when you save to the Gallery

Best,

Fernando Vizcaino

Re: Blob Tool on Alteryx Server

Eswartz_5200 — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:45:05 GMT

@fmvizcaino The solution that you provided worked as expected. Thanks! I attached a PDF of the final output just in case anyone else runs into this issue.

Re: Blob Tool on Alteryx Server

fmvizcaino — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 20:47:07 GMT

Thank you so much for sharing, @Eswartz_5200 !

Re: Blob Tool on Alteryx Server

sajsinha — Tue, 27 May 2025 11:39:12 GMT

Can you attach the workflow as well? Its hard to understand the configuration

Re: Blob Tool on Alteryx Server

apathetichell — Tue, 27 May 2025 14:42:40 GMT

@sajsinha-- what's your issue --- this is pretty well documented on this forum.

1) have template which you upload with your workflow to server --- or is otherwise reachable from server.

2) read in via blob input tool.

3) IMPORTANT ---- create full path in formula tool --- use engine workflow directory if you do not have a fixed location for this on a network drive.

4) use blob output to output new file/copy of the template.

5) use block until done to output to location you created in 3.