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Workflow & automation intermediate 5 min

Outputs and running workflows

Writing results, multiple outputs, and scheduling.

What you'll be able to do
  • Write to several destinations
  • Split output into separate files
  • Understand the options for running unattended

Multiple outputs

A workflow can have as many Output tools as you like, on any branch. A common shape is: main result to a database, exceptions to an Excel file for someone to review, and a summary to a CSV.

That exceptions output is worth building as a habit — rows that failed a join or a validation should go somewhere a person will see them, not be silently dropped.

Splitting into separate files

In the Output tool, set the file path to include a field name in the format Region.csv and tick Take File/Table Name From Field.

One run then produces one file per region. Useful for distributing regional reports without building a workflow per region.

Writing to Excel sheets

Point the output at report.xlsx|||SheetName. Several Output tools with different sheet names build one multi-sheet workbook.

Mind the overwrite setting — Overwrite file removes the other sheets, so use Overwrite sheet when building a workbook from several outputs.

Running unattended

OptionNotes
Alteryx Server / GalleryProper scheduling, versioning, permissions
Scheduler in DesignerLocal, requires the machine to be on
Command lineAlteryxEngineCmd.exe workflow.yxmd — driveable from any scheduler

For anything a business depends on, Server is the answer. A workflow scheduled on someone's laptop is a dependency on that laptop.

Making a workflow rerunnable

Assume it will run twice

Use relative paths, not C:\Users\yourname\.... Set outputs to overwrite or delete-and-append rather than append. Do not rely on a file being deleted by hand between runs.

A workflow that only works the first time is the most common thing handed over and immediately broken.

Key points
  • Take File/Table Name From Field writes one file per group
  • Write rejected rows to an exceptions output rather than dropping them
  • Use relative paths and non-appending outputs so reruns are safe
Check yourself