Output tool error when outputting to Excel in ranges

I am trying to output to an Excel template with set locations for the data to be output. My workflow creates the data, and then I add the proper column that includes the ranges on the correctly named sheet. The output starts pasting the first few sections correctly and then I run into an error that states

"Unable to open file for write: FileNameHere.xlsx: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process."

The output file is saving to a network drive and multiple people have tried running the workflow and have gotten the error intermittently, but more often than not.

I have the options set to Overwrite Sheet or Range, By Field Name. Skip Field Names is checked, Preserve Formatting is checked, Take File/Table Name from Field is checked, Change Entire File Path is selected, the proper column is selected in the Field Containing File Name or Part of File Path, and Keep Field in Output is unchecked. (see screenshot attached)

I am curious how the Output tool works in that it appears to start writing a secondary range before it closes the prior write command.

Is there an elegant solution to getting around this Output range issue? I have tried using a Block until Done before the Output Tool but that doesn't seem to affect the output.

OutputOptions.png

Error Message

Output

Accepted answers

OTrieger

Are you trying to write all the data in 1 go into all the different ranges that define for each of the sections?

If yes, then you have 12 different paths that you are trying to save on the same time. You should each one at a time. You can do it with a batch macro and then you will solve the problem, your control parament should be the different paths that you are using

All comments

OTrieger

@BriBehnke

Your output tool is configured correctly.

You are saying that data is insert to different sections, that leads me to believe that there are several outputs. Are you using Control Container, Parallel Block Until Done or Block Till Done to synchronize the output?

As what you are describing sounds like a scenario that Alteryx is trying to write the same file with 2 different output on the same time.

It will help if you can send a snippet of your workflow.

BriBehnke

I have tried using Block until Done but it did not change the occurrence of my error.

Below is essentially my workflow, with the Block until Done. Each category has up to 12 output rows, each in different ranges within the same sheet. My Add Range Column input is adding what those ranges are to be and the Output tool should be using that column to determine where to place each category. It works just fine on my machine while outputting to a local file. My issue only comes up when I attempt to run the workflow when the output is going to a network drive.

OTrieger

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