Why does alteryx replace file path with "_externals"

I created an input tool connecting to an Excel file with a network file path (\\denfile\shared\etc). I ran the workflow and it was successful, but when I go back into the tool, Alteryx has replaced the file path with this -- _externals\1\MiramarPreviousMonthData.csv. I've seen this happen with input and output tools and also email attachments for event notifications. Why does it do this and do I need to correct it. I feel like sometimes I've seen it error when this is present and sometimes not. Thank you in advance!

Update: Here is an example of where it created an error.

Workflow

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DiganP

@FreeRangeDingo Did you perhaps export the workflow? Basically, this packages the workflow with the assets and changes the directory structure to _externals\1\ for different files. If you are using the network file path, it shouldn't change the data path.

FreeRangeDingo

When you say export the workflow, do you mean save the results of the workflow? Can you explain a bit more what you mean by -- Basically, this packages the workflow with the assets and changes the directory structure to _externals\1\ for different files. Or, why would it do that? In all cases, except maybe one, I was using network paths. I generally don't use mapped drives. The screenshot show might have been to my P: drive. Should I change the settings when saving to not package?

Ross_K

We encountered a similar issue that seemed specifically linked to writing multiple sheets to the same Excel output file.

Locally we would map the share drive to x: and do the same on the server. Setting all of the outputs to their respective paths and sheets, e.g. 'x:\...\file.xlsx|||Sheet1', and having the appropriate block until done commands in place, it worked fine locally. When we tried to upload to the Gallery, even though we deselected the x: files to ensure they did not go up with the workflow, it still set them to _externals_. Opening the workflow from the Gallery and changing them back, had no effect ... when saved it would simply put them back to _externals_ again. Having the outputs pointing to different files, still on x:, worked fine, no changes.

What we found was changing the '\' to '/' in the path resolved the issue, i.e. 'x:\...\file.xlsx|||Sheet1' to 'x:/.../file.xlsx|||Sheet1'. I suspect changing to '\\' would also work, but haven't tested it. This is likely a bug in how the Gallery deals with multiple file paths and perhaps parses '\' correctly for unique paths, but not for multiple instances of the same file. Perhaps this leads to an invalid file name error somewhere internally that gets caught and manifests in the default _externals_ location being used instead?

Anyway, that's what worked for us. Give it a try 🙂

Cindy_Du

Changing the backslashes actually worked. Thanks!

patelbhumika91

If the workflow is in the gallery, you can add a formula tool before the output tool and call it "FILEPATH" and insert in the whole path and file name you want it to go to:

example:

Formula:

Column Name: FILEPATH

Date Type: V_WString

Formula Contents:

'Z:\Folder1\FileName.xlsx|||Sheet1'

(or whatever the final path and file name is)^

Then in the output tool, on the bottom, select "Take File/Table Name From Field" and select "Change Entire File Path" under the drop down and select this "FILEPATH". And make sure the "Keep Filed in Output" is deselected unless you want it as part of your output.

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