Error - unable to create backup

[PuffinPanic]

Hi all,

I think I have solved my problem, but I'm not sure why what I have done has worked and I was wondering if anyone could shed some light so that I can apply what I've done from a place of understanding.

I was having a problem with the workflow below where the output from output anchor 1 of the leftmost BUD would fail with a 'cannot create backup' error. I've read a few of the posts about the error trying to figure this out, but none of those suggestions worked. I already had a BUD in the workflow (the leftmost one in the image) as I know that Alteryx can't write to a file that is already open.

Having tried swapping the order of the two outputs, the error still occurred with the output from output anchor 1. In desperation, I threw in a random BUD before the first output and this seems to have solved the issue - it ran properly. The question is, WHY? 

Firstly, why was I getting the error? I have any number of workflows in which I have successfully used BUDs to output multiple times to the same file within a single workflow. Even THIS workflow worked properly (without the random BUD) until I removed a couple of fields from the 2nd output.

Secondly, why does adding the random BUD make the output work correctly?

For information my outputs all go to a sync'd sharepoint drive. (I'm unable to store anything locally because even my 'desktop' is pointed at a sharepoint drive.) I don't know if this could make any difference, but seeing a suggestion on the forum to save locally made me wonder.

Any insight would be welcomed.

Thanks

PuffinPanic

[ChrisTX]

See my reply in this related post: https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Discussions/Large-file-causing-error-quot-cannot-a...

Even if you're not writing to a single Excel file, in my experience you'll need to use a batch macro to avoid errors like you describe.

Before I started using the batch macro "Excel Output different formats to multiple Sheets in one file.yxmc" and the CReW "Wait a Sec" macro, I also got the error "unable to create backup".

and please consider adding a Like to this related Idea:

Enhance options for Excel output
The only current option to export different schemas to different Sheets in one Excel file, without regard to paper formatting, is to use a batch macro and include the CReW macro Wait a Second, to allow Excel to properly shut down before a new Sheet is created, to avoid file-write-contention issues.

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Ideas/Enhance-options-for-Excel-output/idi-p/84326...

Chris

[PuffinPanic]

Thanks Chris, I'll have a look at your suggestions. I haven't used many macros yet, and haven't got the CReW macros at all.

PuffinPanic