Opening, editing, and saving new fi;e

[ltensmeyer]

So I have a table with a couple hundred entries like this one:

Lastname  Firstname Fullname               Email                                        File

Doe	John	Doe, John	JohnDoe@gmail.com	Company/JohnDoe/Info/Monthly/JohnDoe.xlsx
Gribe	Shawn	Gribe, Shawn	ShGribe@gmail.com	Company/ShawnGribe/Info/Monthly/ShawnGribe.xlsx

What I need to do is open up every file within the file column, add some data, then save it as a new file. I'm thinking I'll have to use the directory tool for this but I'm unsure how to do that exactly. Part of my problem is that these files are all within a high-up personal file folder that contains a lot of other files, so I can't just open up one folder and parse through for each employee. Any ideas would be appreciated!

[StephaneP · Accepted solution]

Hey @ltensmeyer ,

This article should help you. Section 3 and 4.

It explains the different ways to dynamically load files.

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Engine-Works/Four-Methods-to-Consolidate-Files/ba-p/912480

In addition as the Directory tool will generate a list of files from all your folder, you need to define a business rule to explain Alteryx how to identify the right files to keep.
Is this based on the name, a value in the name, the time of update of the file... ?
As soon as you are able to write this rule of indetification you will have all what you need. Dynamicity to load the file where either it is and dynamicity in the number of file you are loading.

Hope it helps

[ltensmeyer]

Perfect, thank you!