ouput file only if there are records

[Jay45]

Hi all,

I'm using output csv file to provide the data steward with a quick view on any missing mappings etc... So in the flow I have a branch with conditionals and aggregators to identify erroneous/missing values, then output that to csv on a designated place. The data steward reviews these files and knows what to do.

However, the csv is generated even when there are no records. Is there a way to prevent creating the empty csv ?

Thanks!

kind regards

Jay

[MarqueeCrew]

Hey @Jay45,

How about this:

1. Use a FORMULA to create a "filename" field.
   

   if IsNull([Required Data Element]) THEN '' ELSE 'FileName.csv' Endif

   if a required field is NULL, then put blank in filename otherwise use your filename (could be a constant).
2. Output using "Take File/Table Name" and remove the field from your output

If the name is blank, Alteryx won't output.

Cheers,

Mark

[Claje · Accepted solution]

I just wanted to add on a little more to @MarqueeCrew's answer.

If you set up a formula with a filename, and modify your output data tool to "Take file/Table name from field", then if there are no records passed through, alteryx will not create any files.  That should skip the need for a "required data element", based on your use case.

Basically, I think you could modify step 1 of the prior answer to a Formula of

'FileName.csv'

based on your example

[Jay45]

Marked as solution because it was slightly more accurate than MarqueeCrew's answer.

I wish this behaviour of NULL filename was better documented...

But thanks to both!