Skip to main content

Directory Tool Icon Directory Tool

Abstract

Use Directory to return a list of all the files in the specified directory. The tool returns file names and other information about each file, such as its size, creation date, last modified date, and more.

One Tool Example

Directory has a One Tool Example. Visit Sample Workflows to learn how to access this and many other examples directly in Alteryx Designer.

Use Directory to return a list of all the files in the specified directory. The tool returns file names and other information about each file, such as its size, creation date, last modified date, and more.

Configure the Tool

  1. Specify the Directory for which to return the file contents. Either enter in the location path or use the browse icon to navigate to the intended directory.

  2. File Specification: Specify the type of files to return.

    Wild card use examples:

    • *.*: Return all file types in the specified directory. The default value.

    • *.csv:: Return all CSV files in the specified directory.

    • temp*.*: Return all files that begin with temp in the file name: temp1.txt and temp_file.yxdb.

  3. Include Subdirectories: Select to search for the specified file types in directories within the specified directory. When this box is unchecked, only files at the root level of the specified directory are returned.

View the Output

These fields are output from the Directory tool at runtime:

Name

Type

Definition

FullPath

V_WString

The entire path of the file. This includes the drive, directory, and file name.

Directory

V_WString

Specified directory the file resides in.

FileName

V_WString

The name of the file.

ShortFileName

V_WString

Old filename convention used by versions of MS Windows prior to Win95 for compatibility with legacy programs.

CreationTime

DateTime

Date and Time the file was originally created.

LastAccessTime

DateTime

Date and Time the file was last read.

This attribute is turned off by default on some operating systems. If you would like to know more about this attribute and enable it on your machine, please reference this article.

LastWriteTime

DateTime

Date and Time the file was last written or updated.

Size

Int64

File size in bytes.

AttributeArchive

Bool

The file or directory is an archive file or directory.

Applications use this attribute to mark files for backup or removal.

AttributeCompressed

Bool

The file or directory is compressed.

This means that all of the data in the file is compressed.

AttributeEncrypted

Bool

The file or directory is encrypted.

This means that all data in the file is encrypted.

AttributeHidden

Bool

The file or directory is hidden.

It is not included in an ordinary directory listing.

AttributeNormal

Bool

The file or directory does not have other attributes set.

AttributeOffline

Bool

The file data is not available immediately.

This attribute indicates that the file data is physically moved to offline storage.

This attribute is used by Remote Storage, which is the hierarchical storage management software.

AttributeReadOnly

Bool

The file or directory is read-only.

For a file, applications can read the file, but cannot write to it or delete it.

AttributeReparsePoint

Bool

The file has an associated reparse point.

AttributeSparseFile

Bool

The file is a sparse file.

AttributeSystem

Bool

The file or directory is part of the operating system, or the operating system uses the file or directory exclusively.

AttributeTemporary

Bool

The file is being used for temporary storage.

File systems attempt to keep all of the data in memory for quick access, rather than flushing it back to mass storage.

Tip

You can drag and drop a folder from Windows File Explorer directly onto the canvas to create a Directory.