Saving the 3 outputs of a join tool to the same Excel file

[CullenJ]

Sometimes I find it useful to save the outputs from a join tool to different sheets within the same Excel file. Currently I do it as shown in the screenshot below. Is this the best solution or is there a more elegant way? Having the 3 separate output tools in their own control containers doesn't look very clean and also means to change the file name I have to change it in 3 places. 

 

[alexnajm]

If you can create a File Name column earlier in the workflow, then you can try to use that to name the files (and therefore only have one point to make changes). Otherwise this is what I'd do since you have three separate outputs from three separate anchors.

In theory, you could label each stream with a Formula, Union all streams together, and then use one Output Data tool to split by the label. But this assume the structure of each anchor is the same!

[ChrisTX]

Yes, Control Containers are the best way to avoid write-contention errors when writing to one Excel file.  You can make the connectors between the containers wireless, to make it look cleaner.  

In one of my larger workflows, I use a Union to combine all rows by Field Name.  Then I create a new field to assign an Excel file name and Sheet name.  Then, before each output tool, I use a Data cleansing tool to drop null columns (it's slow, I know).  Then each Output tool uses the functionality to use the output location, Full Path, from the field I created before.

Chris

[OTrieger]

@CullenJ 
The most important thing is that you built a workable solution!!!

It is important to learn to do things in a better way, that is part of developing your skills.

Is there are better way, I guess that is only a a subjective thing as each person has his own reality on how things should be, and the answer that you will get would be from another person perspective! Therefore the way that suit you will be the best way, all the rest will be additional ways how to get it done. 

In 1 year from now when you will have a look at the same WF you will see that you can think on 3-4 additional ways how to get it achieved.