Cannot output file to same directory as input file (Gallery)

Attaching sample workflow below. I am trying to design an app where the user specified input file, and after running it from the gallery, not only can he download the output from the gallery, but the output is also automatically written locally in the same location as the input file he used. Basically eliminating the need for the user to download from gallery. It might seem counter-intuitive, but in the case of not so savvy users having to download multiple files and not figuring out that they must click the dropdown box in the gallery result, it might be more useful to have the workflow simply write all the files on their drive in the first place.

When I try it in the gallery I get the following error:

Unable to Open archive for zipping: C:\ProgramData\Alteryx\Service\Staging\2532_3581d00750f64f4abfa74f8bef0e6463\In_5e3047a433993509e40077d8\Demo.xlsx|`Sheet1$`InsaneTest.xlsx Error Opening file: C:\ProgramData\Alteryx\Service\Staging\2532_3581d00750f64f4abfa74f8bef0e6463\In_5e3047a433993509e40077d8\Demo.xlsx|`Sheet1$`InsaneTest.xlsx : The filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect. (123) (Tool Id: 16)

Any ideas?

test+write+to+same+folder.7z

Workflow

Accepted answers

BenMoss

Something that's important, and probably why this wont work, is that the sever is only going to be able to write the file to the location if it is visible to the server machine.

For example, if I load a file from my desktop, the server wont be able to write a file to my desktop because it cannot communicate with it.

This is pretty much the entire reason alteryx doesnt do this by default and instead you have to go via the download method.

Ben

All comments

afv2688

Hello @AkisM,

It should work now.

You could also use the function to take the full path on the input tool. (just another approach)

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

Regards

test write to same folder.yxzp

AkisM

Hi @afv2688 ,

That workflow results in a File not found "C:\ProgramData\Alteryx\Service\Staging\2532_90feaf13dc3047b1a6af3ed4218b52e6\In_5e312c9233993509e40078f2\Demo.xlsx|`Sheet1$`" (Tool Id: 12)

error at the input tool when run in the gallery. I replace the action tool's formula at the input side with the one I had before Left([#1],FindString([#1],"|"))+"|||'Sheet1$'" and the workflow works now, however it still doesn't write anything to my local folder. It just shows me the excel in the gallery offering to download it.

BenMoss

Something that's important, and probably why this wont work, is that the sever is only going to be able to write the file to the location if it is visible to the server machine.

For example, if I load a file from my desktop, the server wont be able to write a file to my desktop because it cannot communicate with it.

This is pretty much the entire reason alteryx doesnt do this by default and instead you have to go via the download method.

Ben

BenMoss

To summerize, unless you are working with a file on a network drive visible to both the user inputting the file and the server, then this will never work.

AkisM

@BenMoss Thanks for the clarification. Is this still the case if I try to create an analytic app that overwrites an existing file in the user's computer?

For example a workflow that works on data, then drops it on a pre-existing formatted excel with formulas etc.

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