hi @slaurel !
here's a guide that was forwarded to me by a colleague when I was starting with alteryx, hope this helps somehow:
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If your .xlsm file is showing null values in Alteryx when you're reading it, there could be a few potential causes and solutions to explore. Here’s how you can troubleshoot and address this issue:
- Ensure Data is Properly Formatted in Excel
Check for Hidden Rows/Columns: Sometimes, hidden rows or columns in Excel can cause issues. Unhide all rows and columns in the Excel sheet you're trying to read to ensure Alteryx can access the data properly.
Check for Non-Standard Excel Formatting: Alteryx might not interpret certain complex Excel formatting correctly (like merged cells, special number formatting, or certain formulas). Try to clear or simplify the formatting.
- Sheet Visibility
Ensure the Sheet is Visible: If the sheet you are trying to read is hidden, it can cause problems. Make sure the sheet is not hidden in Excel before reading it in Alteryx.
- Check for Blank Cells or Invalid Data
Blank Cells in Excel: If your Excel sheet contains many blank cells or rows that do not contain data, Alteryx may interpret those as null values. You may want to clean up the data in Excel first (remove or fill in blank cells) and then reload it in Alteryx.
Data Type Mismatches: Ensure that the columns in your .xlsm sheet are consistent in data type (e.g., text, numbers, dates). Inconsistent data types can cause Alteryx to misinterpret the data as null.
- Select the Correct Range
Range Selection in Input Data Tool: In the Input Data tool, if you're specifying a range (instead of reading the entire sheet), ensure that you're specifying a valid range of data that doesn't include empty or invalid rows/columns.
You can try removing the range specification to let Alteryx read the entire sheet, or manually specify a valid data range.
- Use "Read All" Option
In the Input Data tool, make sure you're selecting the "Read all" option in the Configuration panel, so Alteryx tries to load all data from the sheet, rather than restricting it to a set range.
- Test With a Simple .xlsm File
Sometimes the issue might be with the specific .xlsm file. Try testing with a simple .xlsm file that contains basic data (e.g., a few rows of numbers or text) to see if the problem persists. This can help determine if the issue is specific to the original file or a broader issue with Alteryx reading .xlsm files.
- Try Reading .xlsm as .xlsx
Save as .xlsx: If the .xlsm file is not too complex (i.e., no macros or VBA scripts are required), try saving the file as an .xlsx file and then read that in Alteryx. This may bypass some issues related to macros and file structure.
- Upgrade Alteryx Version
If you're using an older version of Alteryx, it's possible that there may be bugs related to reading .xlsm files. Ensure that you're using the latest version of Alteryx Designer, as updates often fix compatibility issues.
- Inspect Alteryx Output
After reading the data, use a Browse Tool to inspect what data Alteryx has read. If you see unexpected null values in specific columns, try to isolate those columns and check for the presence of special characters, formulas, or unexpected formatting.
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Additional Steps:
If none of the above steps resolves the issue, consider trying these steps:
Use a Formula Tool: If some cells are incorrectly interpreted as null, you could use a Formula Tool to replace null values with a default or placeholder value (e.g., 0 or "Unknown").
Use the Data Cleansing Tool: This tool can help clean the data by replacing nulls, trimming spaces, and fixing other inconsistencies in the dataset.
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Summary
Check the formatting and data consistency in Excel before importing.
Ensure that there are no hidden rows/columns or merged cells.
Experiment with reading the sheet with no range, or saving as .xlsx if possible.
Keep Alteryx up to date and try with a simplified test file.
Let me know if any of these steps work, or if you're still encountering issues!
