CONVERT XLSX file to DAT file

[PassION_es]

Hi Team,

Needing your help on how to create a workflow converting an .xlsx file (first sheet only) to .dat file. Said tab consist only of names, TIN, address with no formatting.

Appreciate your assistance.

Thank you

Aby

[mbarone]

What are the parameters of the .dat file?  Is there a delimiter, fixed width, etc.?  If it's just to be a simple flat file, then output would be a CSV type, with a delimiter of \0.  That will mean it's basically just one big "cell" if you think of it in terms of Excel.  If you want your columns to be parsed, then pick a delimiter (pipe, comma, etc . . .. just type it in the delimiter field in the configuration pane of the output tool).

[Luke_C]

hi @PassION_es 

Like @mbarone  said, it depends on what you want, but here's an example of how the output tool might look:

[PassION_es]

hello @mbarone, thank you for taking my concern. Currently, we have just manually saved a copy of first tab in csv format (from xlsx file), and then from csv copying the data to a notepad and the last part is to convert from notepad to .dat file.  I am looking for any possibility of automatically convert it from xlsx to .dat file using Alteryx. I've searched in vba macro but can't find the right syntax.  

[mbarone]

All you need is one input tool and one output tool and configure the output tool as I described . . . name the file [whatever you want].dat, file format = csv, delimiter = \0

Unless, like I said you DO want it delimited.  Then just enter the delimiter you want (so if you want a comma, use a comma instead of \0).

That's it, nothing more to it.  I linked the output tool help file in my previous post if you're not familiar with all its options.

[PassION_es]

Hi @mbarone and @Luke_C , omg. that so quick. I am very impressed with this! Very quick compared to vba macro :) Thank you so much. Sorry, I am new to Alteryx :) 

By the way, how can my colleagues use this simple automation/workflow when they don't have Alteryx installed on their pc? In my team, I am only the one who has production license for Alteryx. Second question is that, can the output file be automatically saved and auto-renamed according to sheet name? Thank you.

[mbarone · Accepted solution]

You're welcome @PassION_es .  I suggest heading over to the free online Alteryx Academy and checking out the learning paths and interactive lessons.  There's so much to learn, but it's fun, I promise!

And no, your other coworkers can't use Alteryx without a license.  They will not be able to leverage it, unless your company gets a "Server" license, which is very expensive.

[PassION_es]

thank you so much. Yes, I will continue with those interactive lessons.  Yes, our company do have. However, I am not yet familiar with the publlic and private gallery's purpose. In the meantime, I just saved the workflow in my folder only. 

[mbarone]

Oh okay, if you have Server, once you use how to use the Gallery, you can create an app that anyone could run, even if they don't have a license.  But that's much more advanced of a topic, and ultimately depends on how your Server Administrator wants to control its usage.  But yes, it is possible with Server/Gallery.

[PassION_es]

Oww. got it.  Thank you so much. Bye for now, I will need to continue with my lessons now so I can reach the gallery. :) Have a nice day ahead.