Output Tool and Delimiters for .CSV file & Input Data tool

[hlannguyen]

Hello Professionals,

Much appreciated to help me understand a couple questions below:

1/ Output tool: how different setups for the two attached questions. The solutions checked the same box and selected the same Field Agency in the bottom left corner? What the output files look like (both the file links and the file names) between these two questions? On my end, when running, looks like Alteryx messed up all the outputs, so I'm confused. Any clear explanations to make me understand is much appreciated.

2/ Running the Output the 1st time (write new) successfully without an error. Haven't changed anything but run the Output the 2nd time, the output shows an error. How to fix this error?

3/ What is the delimiter for the CSV input file? Is it a dot or a comma? Does the Text Input have any delimiters? If yes, what is it? Any instruction to help me learn more about Alteryx is much thankful.

4/ What tools in Preparation can save the string/expression data?

Thank you,

[caltang · Accepted solution]

Your output path in the formula tool is incorrect, and because it is overwriting your output tool option - therefore the error appears whereby the path does not exist. It does not exist because it is wrong. 

It is wrong because you forgot to include one more “/“ after Output folder path. Remember, your directory path has to end with “/“, then followed by your file name, then file extension (.CSV/.XLSX for example), then if you have sheets - this is optional - you can include ||| three bars to show to Alteryx the following statements after the bars are your sheet names. Since it’s CSV, you can skip the last bit. 

Try it and let me know.

[hlannguyen]

Thanks so much @caltang. No 7 Output is now successful without errors. I've noticed I could write 2 different ways in the Formula Tool and the Output Tool still resulted in the same file names (attached).

Again, thank you very much for this learning. If anything you could help me to learn more, really appreciated.

[caltang · Accepted solution]

Cheers buddy! Let me know if you need anything else.

[hlannguyen]

Hello @caltang ,

Hope you are doing well and much appreciated your guidance. I've reviewed the Output Files and realized that Output No 1, 2, & 6 are the same; Output No 3&4 only produced one tab - Yuba county though the Alteryx result window showed all counties for each tab. Additionally, the No 6 Output is saved in folder, but the result window didn't show No 6 Output. Because Alteryx only allows 5 attachments each message, I will attach the result window in another message. 

Thank you for your time and instructions.

[hlannguyen]

Hello @caltang,

Attached please find the workflow I used to output that I updated to my computer and your original output. Attached you can see Output No 4 lists all the counties (Output No 3 lists the same) but the Excel output files only created one county Yuba. After out No 4 is output No 5, and then it jumped to output No 7, there isn't output No 6 in the result window. Output No 7 was successful per our discussion yesterday.

If I'm missing anything, really appreciate your instructions.

Thank you,

[caltang]

Hi @hlannguyen I'm actually doing a project right now and it's quite hard for me to respond fast - Do you mind waiting for a bit?

I'll just say please check your folders again, because for the multi-csv output, it's supposed to output multiple CSVs with 1 sheet each. You should check the externals folder or check your formula again if possible

[hlannguyen]

Hi @caltang ,

Appreciate your time. Please no need to be hurried and take your time for your project. I checked the external folders and they all are empty. 

That's my question. For the multi CSVs and XSLXs, they should have created multi tabs in the same workbook, but they didn't.

[caltang · Accepted solution]

Okay - let me break it down for you one by one...

1. For No. 6, the Block Until Done requirement is in place and they want it to be output first - so if you look at the Block Until Done tool, the 1st output leads to No. 6, which explains why No. 5 skips to No. 7, because No. 6 has already been exported out.
2. No. 5 is supposed to only have 1 file, 1 sheet. So this is working as intended.
3. No. 7 you will have 54 files, each with 1 sheet. I see 54 output files in a secondary folder I made, to make it easier to see. Not sure what is wrong with yours, but look at my config and path to make sure it leads to a secondary folder, then you can see all your ouputs better.
4. For No. 3 and No. 4, you are right. I selected the wrong output format - it should be "Overwrite Sheet or Range" and NOT "Overwrite File (Remove)". 

I've attached the workflow again, try this new one and it should work for you. Sorry mate!

[caltang · Accepted solution]

Your output path for No. 7...

"C:\Users\hlann\OneDrive\Desktop\Alteryx\Core Certification\Data Preparation\Output\output_try_it_LN\Output\No 7" + ""
+[Agency] + ".csv"

Why don't you try...

"C:\Users\hlann\OneDrive\Desktop\Alteryx\Core Certification\Data Preparation\Output\output_try_it_LN\Output\No 7" + "\"
+[Agency] + ".csv"

Make sure you have a subfolder in Output folder called "No 7" subfolder. Then try again - you forgot the "\"!

[hlannguyen]

Thanks so much @caltang. Successful. Looks like the No 3 & No 4 Outputs are the same contents just different file names.