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Submission GuidelinesDescription:
Currently, when running a workflow in Alteryx that writes output to a file (e.g., Excel), if the target file is already open (such as being open in Excel), the workflow will proceed through all steps and only fail at the very end when it attempts to write to that file.
Problem:
This behavior is inefficient and frustrating, especially with large workflows. You only find out there's a problem after all the upstream processes have already run. It wastes time and compute resources, and it can also be confusing for less experienced users.
Suggested Improvement:
Alteryx Designer should prevalidate output file accessibility at the beginning of workflow execution. Specifically:
Check if the output files are locked or otherwise unavailable before starting the run.
If any output file cannot be written to, immediately halt the workflow with a clear, early warning.
Optionally, display a prompt listing which outputs are unavailable and why.
Benefit:
This enhancement would save users significant time, reduce confusion, and improve user experience, especially in development or iterative testing workflows. It aligns with good design principles by failing fast and providing immediate feedback.
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