Warning: Input Data (1): The file has a different field name than the 1st in the set

Question

I am trying to input all files with SCD S* but Alteryx is taking only the first one and I get an error message " Warning: Input Data (1): The file has a different field name than the 1st in the set ".

I think it is becausе every file from the folder changes its columns.

For example:

for file SCD S20 I have data for weeks 5 - 20 .

SCD S21- weeks 6 - 21.

SCD22 - weeks 7 - 22

SCD23 - weeks 8 - 23

As an output I want to have all data starting from week 5 till week 23.

Could you please suggest another way to take all files ?

caltang · Answer

@sianastaso to help you on your journey, please find some documentation to guide you:

* https://help.alteryx.com/20231/designer/batch-macro
* https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Knowledge-Base/Getting-Started-with-Batch-Macros/ta-p/488165

I've also done something recently for another user here:

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/General-Discussions/How-to-standardize-excel-files-with-different-schemas/m-p/1155245/highlight/true#M9308

Download the file there, in it, there's a Batch Macro already made. Configure until it matches your requirements. Hope this helps!

philipmannering · Answer

@caltang's batch macro is the solution.

You could also try checking first row contains data and importing on either line 1 or 2 (depending on whether or not you want to keep your column names in the data). This will set your field names as a generic "F1", "F2", etc that might solve the "schema change" issue... if the data types don't also change.

caltang · Answer

What you need is a Batch Macro in order to call in all your files. Because of the change in columns, the fields are not the same from the first file.