How to copy and rename an Excel file using Run Command while preserving formatting

[theonlytej]

Hi everyone, I’m trying to create an Alteryx workflow that copies an existing Excel file and renames it, while keeping all original formatting (e.g., cell colors, styles, pivot tables, etc.).

[caltang · Accepted solution]

Refer here: 

• https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Load-Excel-Template-and-then-S...
• https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Output-to-an-Excel-template-fi...

Alternatively, use the blob tool like so:

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Copy-and-Paste-Excel-from-one-... 

[caltang · Accepted solution]

More reading material and solutions:

• https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Copying-a-template-file/td-p/9...
• https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Copy-duplicate-an-Excel-file-t...
• https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/How-can-I-use-Blob-outputs-on-...
• https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Saving-output-into-a-new-excel...
• https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Using-Blob-input-and-blob-outp... 

Outside of Alteryx Community:

• https://intersectionsandoverlaps.wordpress.com/2023/06/05/alteryx-excel-templates-with-blob-tools-an...
• https://intersectionsandoverlaps.wordpress.com/2019/09/27/alteryx-excel-templates-with-blob-tools/

[KGT · Accepted solution]

All of the above solutions involve reading it in and writing it out, which is necessary if you want to affect even one cell. If you are purely trying to do a file copy operation, nothing with the data, then the Run Command will be the way using a .bat file. However, it's an operation that can be done through Alteryx that helps to complete the solution, whereas if this is the main thing you need to do, then there may be other ways that suit than Alteryx.

Take a look at these posts for some info on using Run Command. They are slightly different to your request, but it'll be similar. The "work" is within the .bat file, whether that's written out of Alteryx or in Notepad.

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Dynamic-Rename-a-formatted-fil...

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Discussions/Delete-bat-files-after-running...