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Dynamic Excel Read of a dated sheet name from a dated file name

This wasn't pretty (actually, it was challenging and pretty when I was done with it)!

 

My client receives files that include a static and dated name portion (e.g. Data for 2018 July.xlsx) within the file there are multiple sheets.  One sheet contains a keyword (e.g. Reported Data) but the sheet name also includes a variable component (e.g. July Reported Data).  I needed to first read a directory to find the most recent file, then when I wanted to supply the dynamic input with the sheet name I wasn't able to use a pattern. 

 

The solution was to use a dynamic input tool just to read sheet names and append the filtered name to the original Full Path.

[FullPath] + "|||<List of Sheet Names>"

This could then feed a dynamic input.

 

capture.jpg

Given the desire to automate the read of newly received "excel" data and the fluidity of the naming of both files and sheets, more flexibility in the dynamic input is requested.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

6 Comments
SeanAdams
17 - Castor
17 - Castor

Hey @MarqueeCrew

 

Would it help if there were a way to address a relative sheet rather than an absolute sheet name?

What I'm thinking is that your dated sheet name may always be sheet 1 or 2 in the list, and the way that we'd handle this if we were building it in Visual C# for Office would be to look at sheets[1] irrespective of the sheet name?

 

 

MarqueeCrew
20 - Arcturus
20 - Arcturus

Can't rely on Excel. 

D4686A57-F4C0-43C7-A9AF-D544156E38B9.jpeg

 

 

 

Wangwn
7 - Meteor

Mark, 

 

Can you show how to configure the dynamic input tool?

 

Thanks! 

Community_Admin
Alteryx
Alteryx
Status changed to: Inactive
 
Community_Admin
Alteryx
Alteryx

The status of this idea has been changed to 'Inactive'. This status indicates that:

 

1. The idea has not had activity in the form of likes or comments in over a year.

2. The idea has not reached ten likes.

3. The idea is still in the 'New Idea' status. 

 

However, this doesn't mean your idea won't be implemented! The Community can still like and comment on this idea. With enough renewed interest, this idea can be brought back into the 'New Idea' status. 

 

Thank you for contributing to the Alteryx Community and the Alteryx Product Idea Boards!

Nezrin
11 - Bolide
11 - Bolide

Completely agree - feel that the dynamic tool could be much more. Even having the option to dynamically append with a field name based on the input file name would be awesome