How to skip open files in a directory while reading using dynamic input

[adneyadeodhar]

In Alteryx is there any way to skip the files which are open in a directory. I am trying to read many files (same schema) in a shared directory using a dynamic input tool as many people have access to the directory if a file is open flow is getting terminated and it is not reading the remaining files.

[jasperlch · Accepted solution]

Hi @adneyadeodhar 

When an Excel file is opened, a temporary file with the same file name and "~$" added to the beginning is created in the same directory. So what we could do it to 

1. Use filter tool to find all the file with name starting with "~$" (e.g. "~$sample.xlsx")

2. Use Formula to remove "~$" from the file name (e.g. "sample.xlsx")

3. Use Append tool to combine the list from 1 and 2 (i.e. "~$sample.xlsx" and "sample.xlsx")

4. Use Join tool to exclude all the files on the list from 3 (i.e. "~$sample.xlsx" and "sample.xlsx")

Hope this helps.

Jasper

[MarqueeCrew]

you might want to create a copy me.bat file. Coey them to another directory and everything is readable.  

just a thought. 

cheers,

 mark

[CrsnBrn]

Any ideas on what to do when the Excel file is open and there is no corresponding ~$ file to match with?