Dynamic Rename -- Filename

[jbeckie]

I've searched the community prior to posting this and have not found a solution yet.

I am trying to append datetimenow() to an original filename, using a formula tool to create a new complete fullpath (i.e., C:\Users\...\OneDrive ...\Alteryx -- K + J\Automated Swipe Extract for Vendors\Output Files\Sample Input 2022-05-06 09:09:26.xlsx|||No Match).

I then point the output tool to the fullpath, using "Change Entire File Path."

Please see the attachments and let me know if you require any clarification.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[Luke_C]

@jbeckie What's the issue you're running into?

[jbeckie]

Oh good point @Luke_C

The error code is attached here

[rfoster7 · Accepted solution]

you'll need to format [datetimenow] into a format that is supported the filename. I recommend _ instead of :. Can't put colons in filenames. 

Something like. 

"C:\users\xxx\OneDrive - XXX\Alteryx\XXX\Output Files\" + [FileName] + " -- Output" + datetimeformat([DatetimeNow],'%Y_%m_%d_%H_%M_%S') + ".xlsx|||No Match"

You also have two + between your [datetimenow] and your ".xlsx" which might also cause a problem. 

[IraWatt]

Hey @jbeckie,

The issue is your not allowed ":" in file names but you need to make sure the "C:" Drive colon remains for it to work

[jbeckie]

@rfoster7 perfect you solved the issue, which was improper format for filename. I should've known about the colons being disallowed.

Another question is how to write multiple tabs to the same file? I'm sure there's something within the output tool that I'm just not doing properly.

[jbeckie]

@IraWatt thank you kindly as that was the issue (the colons being disallowed in filename)

[IraWatt · Accepted solution]

@jbeckie Your set up seems fine to write to multiple tabs just specify them after the three "|||"

[jbeckie]

@IraWatt Ok thank you it seems to be working now!

[IraWatt]

Nice :) glad it worked! can be really finicky getting file paths to work