Dynamically Pick latest Excel in Input Data

[VJ_88]

1. I am using Alteryx 2024
2. Using Control Container
3. 1st Control container creates a new excel with Today date in file name as FILE_NAME_2025-03-20.xlsx
4. for this have used formula and in output change entire file path
5. Now requirement is 2nd container picks file created in Step 3 FILE_NAME_2025-03-20.xlsx.
6. Currently I have to select the file everytime I have to run 

[binuacs]

@VJ_88Instead of reading the records from the excel file why don't you use the same flow for your second container? my question why do you want to write output in an Excel file and then read it again? you can use the output from the first container as the input of the second container.

[alexnajm]

Also if you have the File Path from earlier in the workflow, why can't you just use that path with a Dynamic Input to read in the data?

[VJ_88]

hi @binuacs ,

we need and excel output and same excel is read in second container to convert it in CSV with distinct line separator 

we need 02 outputs excel and csv

I know it's not the best way of implementing hence requested help in getting a optimised solution to achieve the same

[alexnajm]

Based on your original query, why doesn't this work?

[VJ_88]

Hi @alexnajm ,

1. We have a Input Directory which read multiple file data then a Formula to create Path and few more field
2. Then a Batch Macro which takes path from Formula tool and appends data from Multiple input file into 1 append one after the another
3. This 2 steps happens in 1st Control Container and batch macro creates 01 combined file for all input with Combined_DATETIMETODAY.XLSX
4. Now Control container 2 which runs after success of 1st  reads data which was output of batch macro in Step 3 (Combined_DATETIMETODAY.XLSX is output of step 3 but input of new container

• We have 02 steps which are still manual
• As output of batch macro is append we have to create COmbined_FILE_DATETIMETODAT.xlsx everytime before we run as with Append it needs file as per my knowledge
• We cannot have overwrite as it writes data from multiple file into one appending one after the another
• 2nd Manual Step in 2nd containers as new file Combined_DATETIMETODAY.XLSX is created we need to map the input everytime

Hope my complete problem is clear and apology if I created confusion

[alexnajm]

Then in your second Control Container, read in the Directory again and use a Dynamic Input to read it in... or create an output to your macro that has the path you are writing to and use that in your second Control Container