Assistance Needed - Inputting Single File from Multiple Folders

[thenning]

Hello,

I'm working on a workflow where I need to input a file (the one with the _Formatted extension below) from multiple folders (for each year).  Is there a way that I can accomplish this?

[DataNath · Accepted solution]

@thenning assuming these are just remakes for each year and the schema is the same:

1) Bring on a 'Directory' tool - Under 'Directory', select the folder all of your year folders are in and then tick 'Include Subdirectories'

2) Add a filter, with the condition: Contains([FileName], '_Formatted.xlsx')

3) Add a 'Dynamic Input' tool to the true (top) output anchor of your filter. Click 'Edit' under 'Input Data Source Template' and select one of these '_Formatted' files - Alteryx will use this as a template for the others coming in. Make sure 'Read a List of Data Sources' is selected and under 'Field', choose 'FullPath', setting the 'Action' to 'Change Entire File Path'.

[messi007]

@thenning,

Please take a look on this post : https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Knowledge-Base/The-Ultimate-Input-Data-Flowchart/t... 

Other topics that could help  : 

http://community.alteryx.com/t5/Advanced-Analytics/Directory-and-Dynamic-Input-Tool-for-inputting-mu...

http://community.alteryx.com/t5/Data-Sources/using-dynamic-input-on-excel-files-with-different-tab-w...

http://community.alteryx.com/t5/Data-Preparation-Blending/Difference-between-Directory-DYNAMIC-INPUT...

https://inspiringingenuity.net/2014/06/27/alteryx-wildcard-inputs/

Best Regards

[Kurohits · Accepted solution]

Hi @thenning 

Please find the attached workflow. You can easily do it using Directory tool and dynamic input tool. Make sure the data structures are same across all files otherwise dynamic input would fail and we need batch macro to read files with different data structures.