Export results to bat file with new lines

[aehrenwo]

I am attempting to output dynamic results into a batch file to execute after it is produced. 

The results that I see in the workflow have new lines however the output is not reflecting this new lines and I am not sure what output format I should use to make sure these appear. 

As a result of the new lines not being included the batch files is failing. 

Any suggestions? 

See the attached workflow

[darryl5280]

This looks strange but it is simple solution.

Change:

[Code1] + "xxx" + [Code2] + "xxx" + [Code3]

To:

[Code1] + "
xxx" + [Code2] + "
xxx" + [Code3]

[aehrenwo]

I actually don't need the xxx if I use this method as the Regex becomes redundant. 

[Code1] + "
"
+ [Code2] + "
"
+ [Code3]

However, when I do this and export the results as a pdf.bat file using the "csv" option 

It produces a file that looks like this all on ONE line with no new lines. any suggestions? 

cd "C:\Program Files\wkhtmltopdf\bin\"wkhtmltopdf.exe "https://www.google.com/search?q="Adam+Ehrenworthcorruption+cases&num=50" "C:\Users\SA-JJC-HCC_Ops\OneDrive - JNJ\workflows\TPIGoogle\pdf\000001.pdf' pause

[darryl5280 · Accepted solution]

Spoiler

I would just skip the writing out the BAT file and send it to the "Run Command" tool so you can execute it.

Here is my BAT file commands in the Formula Tool:

And the field contain the code is passed into the "Run Command" tool and the "Run Command" saves it.
Just the Temp directory is used here.

[darryl5280]

I just upgraded your Workflow use the "Run Command" writes out the BAT file and then Executes it, and I added the Standard Output as a text file to read it to see the results of the BAT file.

I have your real BAT Code in a close Container so we can and everyone else can run it,  But for your just enable the Container show yours.

I hope this works,as its always helpful to have a test version working, and just have to match the syntax to match yours work.

[aehrenwo]

Ok - I think I am following the logic. Let me play around with it over the weekend and I will let you know if I get it working. 

Thanks!

Adam

[danilang]

Hi @aehrenwo 

When you're writing to bat files, you need to include the complete Windows line ending CRLF, ASC(13)ASC(10).  \n(Asc10) only includes the LF. 

you can either change your regex to 

REGEX_Replace(Code, 'xxx', "\r\n")

Or change your formula to 

[Code1] + CharFromInt(13) + CharFromInt(10) + [Code2] + + CharFromInt(13) + CharFromInt(10) + [Code3]

This also removes the need for your regex in the same tool.

In both cases your line breaks will be preserved.  

Dan

[darryl5280]

Yes, I understand, it took me a long to develop this method, and it introduces new concepts of using the Temp folder and passing in the BAT file into the "Run Command".  There are 2 magic tricks used.

Magic Trick #1

At run time Alteryx changes this: "%Engine.TempFilePath%"

To: "C:\User\[UserID]\AppData\Local\Temp\Engine_13592_efc648be24f64102a7557b46cc033531_\”

Magic Trick #2

And the Input to the "Run Command" it magically picks the field name containing the BAT commands, but with other tools you specify the Field Name, so I just restrict the fields passed in with a "Select" tool to just one field with the BAT Commands and once i got it working I was so happy I didn't want to mess with it anymore.

When you run the workflow look in the results window, and right click on one of file outputs, and pick "Open Folder".  Then you can see your 2 files, "PDF.ba"t and "PDF.txt" as they will stay in the Temporary folder for a few minutes. Then they will be deleted.  As for me thinking about a idea overnight, always brings me more insights the next morning.

Good Luck

And I happy to answer any of your questions.

[aehrenwo]

THANK YOU!   got this working end to end with MS Flow and I am getting resutls in a zip file automatically ... 

so cool. :)