Joining multiple files but sometimes all files don't exist

[ewassell]

I am joining multiple excel files together to produce output.  Sometimes, one of the files doesn't have any information so I don't want to have to have the user create an empty file. I get an error on the input data (can't find the file) and output is not created.  How do I say, if it exists, Join, if not, ignore and continue joining what is available?

[FrederikE]

Hey @ewassell,

How is the file that the user provides identified?

- Is this an App?

- Or is it accessing a folder with multiple files and always processing all of them.

- Or something else?

[ewassell]

The user will manually put the files in a directory to be processed.  Right now, I have it so it looks for all the files and then puts them in a union.  Looking for a way to say, if one of the files doesn't exist, continue with the union without it.

[ewassell]

Sorry - I am putting them in a Union, not joining them at this point.

[FrederikE · Accepted solution]

@ewassell,

With a union it is quite easy to do. Just put a wildcard Input in there.

At the Input, instead of the filename, use a star (*). This means that Alteryx pulls in all files from the folder. Like an automated Union in the Input Tool.

This requires all Files to be in the same structture. If thats not always the case, you require a batch Macro to do so instead. 

[ewassell]

Thank you so much!  That was easy!!! :)