Do we have any tool to read txt files instea of DIrectory

[NarendraUBS]

Hi All, @Binu_acs,

i am looking to extract 20 CR files from path \\did\indi\CR\16102025\Rever\dotfile\CR.txt, path date will change daily example- today CR text file will save in 16102025, like folder is prior date.

required help here is i want to extract given date means if i want 10102025 i will give manually date in gallery then workflow should give those 20 CR from 10102025 folder. i tried by giving path until \\did\indi\CR\ in DIrectory tool, but its taking long time due to huge data availability in CR folder. i tried by giving Manual file path by inserting date in between path using formula text tool but it wont work- getting error invalid path and no files to read like. please advise me here how can i achieve this WF.

example: if i need 09092024 then i will enter this date in gallery it should pick that date folder  and that date contains required files, 

[jrlindem]

Here's an article to get you started:  The Ultimate Input Data Flowchart

Goes over the merits of different input options.  What you're looking for, though, is a batch macro.  This will help you bring in one file at a time instead of trying to have directory tool bring them all in one shot.

But regarding your issue of finding the right files, you can still find them dynamically using formulas to build the right paths.  This assumes that the pattern stays the same.  

-Jay

[binu_acs]

@NarendraUBS I believe only the difference in the folder path is the dynamic date part, and the rest is the same. If that is the case, then you can use an analytical app to select the date and return the correct file. A sample workflow is attached

in your use-case u you might need to update the action tool formula like below

"\\did\indi\CR\"+DateTimeFormat([#1],'%d%m%Y')+"\Rever\dotfile"

[dreldrel]

If you'd like to specify the date, then yes, you'd need to use the interface tool (e.g. date/text input) to tell Alteryx the date you want. If you always have a regular pattern to read your files. Then you don't need the interface tools; you can build the logic in your Alteryx workflow to get the file paths. Alteryx has strong power in working with date columns

[NarendraUBS]

Thank you so much @binu_acs. for your advise and, i tried in my designer but getting error like-The system cannot find the path specified. (3), i gave sample date which is available in path. is it depend on system date and given folder date also cause this error(my system date formate is dd/mm/yyyy and folder date formate is YYYYMMDD in path. if it is causing please advise me how to rectify this.

[jrlindem]

The date needs to match the literal format from the file path you are accessing.  So whatever format it exists on your network drive path, is how it has to match.  Also, your path begins with "//" which suggests its a mapped file path.  Are you getting these failures locally on your machine or only when running on Gallery?  You may need to considering using UNC file path.

[NarendraUBS]

Hi @jrlindem, thanks for your question, this is new wf i am trying to giving date to directory path, getting error in desktop designer. can you please advise more on UNC file?

[jrlindem]

@NarendraUBS 

UNC = Universal Naming Convention.  They can follow the format that you posted using double-backslash but they are a way to map drives to servers instead of using local pathways like Drive-Letters, for example.  But, they also have a tendency to come with more permissions.  If you can get to the directory yourself (outside of Alteryx), but not when you're using Designer; then I think there must be a syntax issue in your workflow where the path is not literally exactly matching.  But if you can't get to the path yourself outside of Alteryx then you need to work with your IT folks to get permission to access the drive.

When you move up to Gallery, the same things need to be considered.  Does the gallery installation have access to those file paths.  So that's why I was asking about Gallery vs Local.