Choose between two Excel inputs

Hi,

I'm trying to find a simple way to select between two input files in my workflow. The two files are identical except for time period. One is "current" and the other is "month-end previous month." I'd like to use the same workflow on each. Sometimes I want the outputs based on today, and sometimes based on last month. The file names and paths will be static. Ideally, I'd just like to have a menu to select between the two inputs. I'm sure this is possible, but I'm very new to Alteryx so I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks.

Eric

Input

Accepted answers

ivoller

Hi,

See attached. I didn't have your original input file so I modified the Input tool to start at row 1 (was set to row 3). Modified my current and previous Excels to have some sort of dummy user data so the Summarize will work and made sure that the Action tool was set to the File - Value attribute. This works for me and outputs 2 browse results as expected.

New Workflow2 -ISV.yxwz

All comments

ivoller

There are a number of ways to achieve this, including User constants, Apps etc.

It sounds like your workflow would be well suited to an app that provides a dropdown to select the correct file for this run. I'll send an example when I get back to the office.

eric-l

That sounds good! I look forward to seeing the example. thx

ivoller

See attached for example. You can run this by hitting the wand symbol next to the run button. If you want to see the output from the browse you need to set the option in the Interface

Designer. This version is using the option to manually select the file names. There are many other approaches like File Browse, take input from Text etc. I hope it helps.

DropDown.yxwz

neilgallen

@eric-l What are the conditions in which you decide which file to use? If it's predictible then a directory input / dynamic input tool combination may work based on your usage. ie.

In the middle of a month run "current" unless the date is the beginning of the month, else run month-end previous month, etc.

I'm curious what your use cases are and if you really want to have a drop down every time you run the workflow, or if you want the workflow to choose for you based on the date.

eric-l

It's random - depends on whether the person asking for a report wants today's info or as of month (or year) end. I am the user who will choose.

ivoller

I don't know why it's not working for you.

When I run as an app via the wand select Current and then Finish

I'll get a pop up with the results of the browse in the workflow against the chosen file - current

Similarly if I choose Previous

and press finish, i'll see results from that file

What do you see?

eric-l

First, I had to point to files on my machine, so I made these updates.

Choose Input 1.png

Then I save and close the app and run it by double-clicking the file. It opens, I choose current, and it runs yielding the default, previous (not current file). I must be doing something else wrong. I posted my version in case you can determine my issue that way.

Choose Input 2.png

New Workflow2.yxwz

ivoller

Thanks. I'll take a look as soon as I escape from meetings this afternoon

ivoller

Hi,

New Workflow2 -ISV.yxwz

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