Allow read-only access on Input Tool for Microsoft Excel files

[tfrendo]

The Input Tool should still work when a Microsoft Excel file is open by another user and should be accessed in read-only mode.

[JosephSerpis]

Hi @tfrendo have you read this article it is a workaround however might help in your challenge.

[jason_scarlett]

It is very disappointing to see this issue still not resolved.

"The reason we can't read an Excel file when it is open is because Excel puts a write lock on the file. Reading an open file has challenges like... What happens if the file is modified and saved while we are reading it? To avoid those and other edge cases, the decision was made to limit reading and writing Excel files to those that are not currently locked. " -- I 100% disagree with this decision

Installing software from 2010 is an inadequate hack of a solution. I am very disappointed that such a potentially great software ignores such simple functionality that is available in virtually every other software (Tableau Prep has no issue opening an excel file already open).

This issue dates back years now: https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Ideas/Allow-input-tools-to-open-files-as-quot-Read...

@AndrewRobinson