Rolling over a file

Question

I'm in the process of automating a daily workflow, which when done manually goes like this : a file (say "process file 23/02/2025.xlsm") is opened, changes are made and the file is saved as "process file 24/02/2025.xlsm" (i.e a new file with the current date in it's name is made while the original file is kept intact) .

I'm not sure how to do this in alteryx. Note that the file has macros and formulas which shouldn't be affected.

vj28 · Answer

@OTrieger Thanks, but I should've been more specific about my issue :

My workflow involves opening an existing file (say "process file 3/3/25.xlsm") that has three sheets, making changes to each sheet separately and then renaming the file to process file 3/4/25.xlsm

Right now how I'm doing this is manually making a copy of process file 3/3/25.xlsm , in that copy making changes to each sheet in alteryx and then manually renaming the copy to process file 3/4/25.xlsm

The solutions you and @dwstada suggested works when creating new files with single sheets, but overwriting existing files with MULTIPLE sheets and changing the date of that full file; how would I accomplish that?

Thanks again for the responses!

dwstada · Answer

one addition to OTrieger, after you create the filepath string using a formula tool like they suggested, use this option in the output tool with your newly created filepath column

OTrieger · Answer

Something on this lines
Path:

"\.....\.....\process file "+[Today]+".xlsm"

So while it is hard coded, you have the variable today which will give you the current date.

You will only need to format the data from 2023-02-2025 to 24/02/2025