"File is being used by another process" and other errors

[sufregs]

I have a workflow that contains multiple control containers that write into different sheets of the same workbook. Currently the output file is stored in SharePoint and analytic app works fine (though i have had write errors like number 3 in the past).

When I change the file path of both input and output files to a network drive and run the app, I get thrown different errors.

Note: I use action tools to update the file path and file names

1. Formula (142): Parse Error at char(43): Unknown variable "Reference" (Expression #1) 

this is the formula 

IF CONTAINS([Text], "NONREF") OR CONTAINS([Reference], "BOACHGEUSD") THEN [Amount in doc. curr.] ELSE 0 ENDIF

2. Output Data (344): Unable to create backup of \\xxx\Alteryx Output files\5300 AAI MXN FY 2024 Alteryx.xlsx to \\xxx\Alteryx Output files\5300 AAI MXN FY 2024 Alteryx.xlsx.bak: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. (32)

3. Output Data (68): Can't open file: \\xxx\Alteryx Output files\5306 AAI MXN FY 2024 Alteryx.xlsx: The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. (32)

4. Dynamic Input (138): The file "\\xxx\5300_GL SAP Report_Feb_2024.XLSX" has a different number of fields than the 1st file in the set and will be skipped

Any help with this will be appreciated.

P.S: For error 3, I suspect its because I am writing into the same file from multiple containers. I introduced control containers to enforce some sort of sequencing such that one completes before the other starts but it doesn't seem to have resolved the issue.

Is there a way to implement workflow checking if the output file is ready before writing into it?

I have attached a subset of my flow.

[Gaurav_Dhama_]

Regarding writing the output, control containers are not meant to control the output writing but rather the flow of process. I would recommend using other alternatives that allows writing output. Checkout the below two links for two different approaches.

Solved: Writing Multiple Tabs from different workstreams t... - Alteryx Community

Solved: Building a batch macro for outputting to excel tem... - Alteryx Community

This will also take care of .bak file error.

[Gaurav_Dhama_]

Regarding the first error, it means that the data that is flowing through that formula tool either does not have "Reference" column or its name has changed in the input. This is something I notice mainly when the input file data changes. But you can debug the flow and test.

I am assuming since Dynamic Input is skipping some fields, it might have skipped "Reference" column and thus that error?

[cjaneczko]

By any chance are you saving your file to a location backed up by One Drive? 

[sufregs]

No. I mostly get the errors when I am saving to the network drive.

[Gaurav_Dhama_]

That is mostly because of control containers, these are good for controlling the flow but there are many users who face the same challenge when writing the output data, try using the traditional way of sequencing as mentioned in the links above.