Create column for each full path for each input data tool

[TheEmeraldKnight]

Hi all,

I have a workflow with four inputs.  I want to have a single column in the output file that shows the full path for each record from the four files that has created the output.  I have set the Output Field Name as Field value to Full Path for each input but can't consolidate them into a single column.  At the moment only the full path from the last file shows.

The data is private so I can't load the workflow I'm afraid.

Any advice would be welcomed.

Regards,

Robert

[Qiu]

@TheEmeraldKnight 
You have four full paths, and you want them to be consolidated into one  and output as one  columne in your one output file?

[TheEmeraldKnight]

Hi Qiu,

Yes just like this mock example:

Many thanks,

Robert

[KGT]

This is hard to troubleshoot without at least a screenshot. I do this every day, and it just works. The Input Tool will append it as a column named [FullPath] and that's per record, so will persist.

Only thing I can think of is that you're removing the column and then attaching it again...

[TheEmeraldKnight]

Hi KGT,

Here is the screen shot of the workflow:

Hope that helps.

Regards,

Robert

[Genevieve]

HI @TheEmeraldKnight 

What about something like this.

Where you split your Full Path in  a directory and filename, then Crosstab your Directories.

Note I have an older version of Alteryx and need to rename my columns afterwards. Alteryx 2025.1 has the functionality in Crosstab to retain the symbols in column headings.

[TheEmeraldKnight]

Hi Genevieve,

Thanks for the reply.

I actually just want a single column with the full path (directory + filename) for each record not four columns with the filenames as per your screen shot:

Regards,

Robert

[KGT]

Yep, so the issue is that you're joining rather than unioning (unioning being what I thought was happening), thus creating new fields. I don't know where your data is becoming the field names though.

Easy solution is just a formula at the end:

[FileNameField] == 

IF IsEmpty([FileNameField1]) &&  IsEmpty([FileNameField2])

THEN [FileNameField3]

ELSE....

IF IsEmpty([FileNameField1]) &&  IsEmpty([FileNameField2]) &&  IsEmpty([FileNameField3])

THEN [FileNameField4]

ELSE

[Genevieve]

Actually there would be an even easier solution.

[FilenameALL] =   [FilenameSource1] + [FilenameSource2] + [FilenameSource3] ...

If each row only has one source this would be the way.  But considering you are actually using joins you may end up with more than one source file and in that case you will need to decide on the priority.

This is based on the assumption that when you are inputting the data you are also loading the full path.