Allowing app to run without user selecting files for ALL browsing option

[itssumanb]

I have an Alteryx app that asks users to input 5 different files using 5 different browsing options. Sometimes, the user may not have all 5 files to browse. So I am wondering if there is a way the workflow can still run when, for e.g., a user browses 4 files and leave 1 browse option empty. Hopefully, I am clear. Thank you for your time. 

[itssumanb]

Hi @mceleavey I understand and that is where I have my Dummy File saved. I have attached a pic showing its location. 

[mceleavey]

@itssumanb ,

yes, so did you change that in the action tools?

[itssumanb]

@mceleavey , All 5 Action tools already have the formula you provided which looks like this:

if isnull([#1]) then "C:\Users\SBhattar\Desktop\Test file\Dummy File.xlsx" else [#1] endif

[mceleavey · Accepted solution]

@itssumanb ,

sorry...my mistake.

Change isnull to isempty in the action tool formula.

that should work.

M

[itssumanb]

Hi @mceleavey 

After changing the formula to isEmpty it worked perfectly on the Designer but on the server, it says "Can't find the file: "C:\Users\SBhattar\Desktop\Test file\Dummy File.xlsx". Make sure the file path is correct" so I guess this has to do with the sharing restriction or something like that? 

[mceleavey]

@itssumanb ,

No, that's simply because the server is not looking at your C drive, and you those interface tools are not supported on the server.

See this article:

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Server-Knowledge-Base/Folder-Browse-Not-Available-on-Galler...

That is a completely different issue, however.

So if this is working on designer can you mark this as solved and perhaps raise the deployment of the file picker tool on the gallery in the server discussion section?

Thanks,

M.

[itssumanb]

@mceleavey Sure I can mark it as solved since it did solve my issue on Designer. 

I am wondering if there is a way for me to embed the Dummy File, which essentially is a blank file, within the workflow itself in that way it doesn't have to look outside the app if the browse is Empty. 

[mceleavey]

Hi @itssumanb ,

glad I could help. Yes, you should look into using the TEMP directory and packaging it with the workflow.

M.