Dynamic wildcard file search

I'm trying to set up a workflow to allow a user to specify a filepath and filename (which may include any number of wildcard characters), and then determine whether that path/name combination matches any files. Ultimately the goal is to turn it into a macro.

I've tried -

File Input (regular or user-specified text) with a Formula tool to run a FileExists() command- This doesn't like wildcards.

Dir - Plays nice with wildcards. Requires a file template and that I specify the path and name parameters in the tool itself. It also won't convert to a macro.

Dynamic Input tool looks like it should help, but it requires a specific input template. That's not really in the parameters of the end goal.

I have to think that this would be fairly straightforward in a coding language like Pythonl I just haven't written out the script yet.

What's the best way to accomplish this sort of task in Alteryx?

Topic of Interest

Accepted answers

AkimasaKajitani

Hi @TH ,

I may not have understood your intentions very well.

If you don't have the file list to validate, I think the Directory tool work well.

I made this macro.

This is sample workflow to use the macro.

The Directory tool can use wildcard. It is easy to use the wildcard.

But If you have the file list to validate, you can use Directory tool that you have to put into batch macro.

This is sample workflow to use the macro.

If you have the file list to validate, I think that another way is to use RegEx_Match expression.

Please check the attached workflow.

Sample_DirectoryToolBatch.yxzp

Sample_DirectoryTool.yxzp

RegEx_root.yxmd

All comments

AkimasaKajitani

Hi @TH ,

In this case, you can use Directory tool. You can specify the directory and/or file name.

After that, you can use Dynamic Input tool to read the files. Or you can use the Batch macro if the file have different schema.

I appreciate your thought, but the Directory tool -> Dynamic Input Tool combination does not work here to accomplish the goal.

As I said, the goal is to turn this into a macro (so that it can be passed around and reused), and the Directory tool does not have the option to become a macro.

Secondly, part of the point is to allow the user to pass in a file path and name in a similar manner as with a Text Input tool or a Macro input. This isn't possible with the Directory tool.

Third, I'm not trying to load files, so a Dynamic Input tool is superfluous at best.

Please help me to set up a macro that allows for data input or runtime-user input with wildcards and then will search the specified filepath(s) for (the) matching file(s).

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