The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process.

I've had an Alteryx workflow scheduled with the scheduler for a long time now. Recently, I've been getting the same error each night when trying to write out.

"The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process."

- The file I'm trying to output is a qvx.

- I find it hard to believe someone would have this file open since limited users have access to Alteryx.

- The file is written to a shared drive.

- My workflow is linear, so using a block tool is not the issue here.

I'm not sure what else to do besides rename the file, which did successfully output, but it would just be tedious to then fix it in the scheduler and all documentation.

Thanks for any help!

Output

Qlik

Accepted answers

ChrisTX

Try to manually re-name the file in the network folder. If there is a lock on the file, you won't be able to re-name it.

I've had the same problem when writing out to Excel, even after I closed the file. Had to completely exit Excel.

Chris

Niki_90

Later learned that our Qlik (QMC) had been caught in limbo trying to refresh the data to upload into Qlik so it was technically using the file.

All comments

danilang

Hi @Niki_90

Since file is on a shared drive, is it possible that another, non-Alteryx user has a lock on the file? Possibly someone in the company that uses QlikView?

Dan

Niki_90

Hey Dan,

I really don't think so.

The file has been throwing errors since 8/12/21 so if this is the super rare case I feel their PC would have went through a shutdown or forced company update by now. But no one except myself should have any interest or be looking at this file.

ChrisTX

Try to manually re-name the file in the network folder. If there is a lock on the file, you won't be able to re-name it.

I've had the same problem when writing out to Excel, even after I closed the file. Had to completely exit Excel.

Chris

Niki_90

Later learned that our Qlik (QMC) had been caught in limbo trying to refresh the data to upload into Qlik so it was technically using the file.

danilang

Called it!

Dan

Genevieve

Actually I had a similar problem and the issue wasn't Excel but the AMP engine. Untick the AMP in the Runtime Configuration panel and the traditional process will work.

Aura_P

This worked for me. Thank you!

aavillatoro

I went through this issue when inputting file into a workflow but it was because i had the file opened in another application, so just make sure the file is only opened in Alteryx.

Genevieve

There is now a new solution: the Conditional Containers. They allow to run the AMP engine and save about 3-4 times the time.

You need to put your output tool alone in a control container and then daisy chain them. In this way Alteryx will run one container at a time.

Personally I also name the control container with their step order: Output 1 of x, output 2 of x etc.

The first control container will receive the dataflow in the container and only run once it has all the data, the second container will receive the dataflow once the first container has finished, etc. It is the Use case #1 in Conditional Containers.

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