Assist with Dynamic Input

[itssumanb]

Hi all  - I am fairly new to Alteryx but need to get up and running soon. Therefore, I am hoping someone can help me with the Dynamic Input functionality and options to output. 

I have attached a pic of my workflow. My current workflow allows the user to input only one file. Firstly, I would need to let the user(s) input multiple files (from different folders within their computer). All of the files will use the same workflow/logic in the container (attached). Second, the output file (excel) is expected to populate the results in a separate sheet/tab for each input file.  Finally, (optional) if the sheets can be named as the input file name that would be a bonus for me :). Please let me know if I am unclear. I appreciate your time and consideration.

Thank you 

[echuong1]

Is the number of files/sheets that are going to be run through always the same?

There are ways to make this dynamic, but it might be easier to just have multiple workflows on the same canvas - one for each file/sheet. Basically, you would just copy and paste the workflow once for each file. To dynamically use the file name in the sheet that is output, you can use option #5 in the input to read in the file path/name, and then you would use it in the output tool to change the sheet name.

Hope this helps you get started!

[AbhilashR]

Hi @itssumanb, included in the attached zip file are components of the solution I use to read multiple excel files from a given folder. 

Open and run the test.yxmd file which in-turn references the two macros in the workflow. 

[itssumanb]

Hello - thank you so much and sure this will help me get started. To answer your question - The # of files won't be the same always but I know they will be about 5, 6, or 7 files to run at a time. 

[atcodedog05]

Hi @itssumanb 

I can see @AbhilashR is using Directory tool to read files.

Directory tool will get all the filenames in the selected folder irrespective of number.

Hence it should work.

https://help.alteryx.com/current/designer/directory-tool

Hope this helps 🙂

[AbhilashR]

Hi @itssumanb, as @atcodedog05  mentioned, the Directory tool brings back metadata of all files within a folder which gives you the flexibility in terms of the number of files you read in.