Dynamic input not reading large xlsb file

[cfvito]

I am creating a workflow to read a large xlsb file and get data from there. First, I set up a directory to read the most recent file. Then on the part where I have the dynamic input to get the file itself, I keep getting a pipeline error. I am assuming this was due to the large xlsb file that I am trying to get. I tried to set up a specific table query 'A9:CE348800' but it it still not reading it. So I'm stuck at the dynamic input part. Is there another way to filter it?

[blitz45]

@cfvito are you just getting one file? If so, in the past I had to create a blank template in a location where the dynamic input is able to pick up. Once it's called out in the 'Edit' in your screenshot, you should be able to run it and the workflow should pick up and populate it into alteryx. I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

[cfvito]

Does the blank template have to be in the same directory? If yes, I'm afraid we are not allow to add any files in there as it is a global access.

[danilang]

Hi @cfvito 

The blank template file can be in any accessible path, even the same directory as the workflow itself.  

Dan

[cfvito]

Error I keep getting

[danilang]

hi @cfvito 

Some things to try

• Make sure the template file isn't open when you try to import it.
• Delete all the Rows after the first data row in all the sheets in the workbook.  Don't just highlight the data and press delete.  Highlight the row headers, right click on one of the Highlighted ones and select Delete from the dropdown.  This will delete the data, all formatting and reset the active sheet area.  After this you should have a much smaller file.
• In the past, I've had issues with xlsb files not being read though the input tool.   The only thing I could do was make a copy of the file as .xlsx and work with that.  You can created a vbs script that you can call with a run command tool that either saves a copy as .xlsx or exports the required data to CSV.  This will only run through Designer though.   Excel Automation isn't supported by Microsoft when run in a non-attended environment like through a window service.  See here for "Considerations"(Microsoft's term for when the Automation just doesn't run on a server).  To get around this you can use a PowerShell script that leverages the OpenXML libraries to extract the data.  These libraries read the XML in the file directly and so are safe to use in a server environment. 

Good luck

Dan

[cfvito]

I'm pretty new to creating a more complicated workflow like this. To be honest I am pretty new to Alteryx so the vbs script - run command tool is a bit of a challenge for me and I still have to do alot of research to get it done :) but I'll gladly take that challenge until I figure it out and let you know. I'm still in the process of learning new things while working on my project. Thank you.