Read in a file AFTER it's been produced by R script within the same workflow?

[tonyppham503]

I'm trying to make a workflow that does the following: 1) Run R Script to produce spreadsheet 2) Do stuff with spreadsheet

Since the Excel spreadsheet (Input Data) is coming from the R script, how can I put a dependency or hold to prevent Alteryx from trying to read the spreadsheet while it's being produced? It takes the R script about 2 minutes to produce the file and I need to either have a delay or have Alteryx "know" when the file's been produced. 

[CharlieS]

Will the Excel file not exist before this script is ran, or does the script only update it?

if the file does not exist, you could build a Iterative macro to loop while the file is being created. To check if a file exists, the function "FileExists([filepath])" will return a value of "true" if it does. Use this to test if the file exists each loop. Place a Block Until Done tool after this iterative macro and then "Do stuff with spreadsheet" from there.

[BenMoss]

I believe you have three options.

Option a) add an additional line of script that instead of/aswell as writing to an excel file it writes to a dataframe which you can then use the write options that exist within the Alteryx R tool to output that dataframe as a stream from the R tool. This is the easiest approach by far.

Option b) write a dummy variable to a dataframe, then use the write options to pass this out of the other side of the R tool. You can then use a formula tool to give the path for the incoming file. Then use the dynamic input tool to input the file from that path. Nothing will proccess down stream until the R tool has completed processing. 

I've provided an example of this option.

Option c) try and do what you have done in the R tool with the standard Alteryx toolkit.

[BenMoss]

Oh, option D, add another line of R code that reads the excel file and then use the write options within the R tool to move this into one of the output streams. This would obviously need to be your last line.

[tonyppham503]

Thanks everyone. I'll be in meetings the rest of the day but will report back a solution or clarifying questions when able to!