How to Configure the Input tool to Import the data from .flat file

Question

Hi all,

I have a text file with the extension '.flat'.  I tried multiple ways in configuring the Input tool. But, no luck. All the time, I'm getting an error as the  "Missing root element 'flatfile' "

I;m unable to attach the  .flat file here as it is not allowing me to attach. Can anyone please help in configuring the Input toool to import the data from .flat file.

.

Awaiting your responses.

Thank you.

Br,

Sreenivasa Teja.

DavidP · Accepted Answer

I would load it as a CSV with delimiter set to \0

DavidP · Accepted Answer

Have a look at this link for an explanation of flat files https://help.alteryx.com/current/designer/flat-ascii-files The flat file is an xml file that describes the structure of another data file, typically a .asc file. Below is an example of the flat file that I created in Alteryx. I'd suggest opening your flat file in a text editor to see if you can spot a problem or to make sure that the path to the data file is correct. Alternatively, as the suggested in the flat file documentation above, you can open the data file directly as an unknown filetype with "Read it as a fixed width text file option" and then specify the file layout. It's difficult to give more guidance without actually knowing what the problem with your files are. Perhaps you can zip the files up and try to attach the zip.