Use 1 input for multiple containers on canvas

[mystasz]

Hi Community,

This might be simpler than I'm thinking but can't find a good solution for this. 

I have an excel file called "Test Multiple Tab Inputs" (attached) which contains data in TAB1 and TAB2. In my Alteryx workflow, I use the same file but different tabs going to two different containers. The logic in the real world is different for each tab which is why its in multiple containers. For testing purposes, the logic is the same. 

Instead of using two input tools with the difference only being the sheet names, I'd like to use 1 input tool and separate the data of each tab going to a different containers. How can I accomplish this? 

[JosephSerpis · Accepted solution]

Hi @mystasz typically in this scenrio I would use one Input data tool with it set to list the sheet names and with the filepath as a field then combine this with a formula tool to create the full filepath including the sheetname then feed this into the dynamic input for each section/container with it being filtered for the relevant sheet ahead of the dynamic input tool. While this mean more tools it is atleast dynamic and means you have to change the input file in one place only.

[mystasz]

Thank you. Do you have a sample workflow I can follow? I get the part where we extract the sheet names and full path and filter per sheet name but i'm stuck on the dynamic input part. 

[CoG]

Set the Input Tool to "Import only the list of sheet names", then Filter by sheet name to separate data to each Container, where you can use Dynamic Input to pull in relevant data.

Click "Open Example" after clicking on the Dynamic Input Tool from the Tool Palette. It has example workflows that should answer your question (specifically the first sample).

[mystasz]

Thank you @JosephSerpis & @CoG. I got it to work.