How to Batch Input Multiple Files in Alteryx

Sometimes you’ve got multiple files with the same schema (same columns, just different data) and you just want to stack them all together in one dataset. Here’s how I do it using two tools:

• Directory Tool -> Dynamic Input Tool

In my case:

• I’ve got 6 Excel files
• Each has different name and sheet names
• Schema is the same
• My outcome → Union them into one table

Step 1: Directory Tool

• Drop a Directory tool on the canvas
• In Directory, point to the folder where your files live
• In File Specification, put *.*
  • This tells Alteryx to grab any file type name and type.
  • For me, they’re all .xlsx, but if you’ve got a mix of .csv and .xlsx, this wildcard saves you effort

If your files are in subfolders, tick Include Subdirectories. Mine weren’t, so I left it off.

The Directory tool gives you a list of files, with fields like FullPath that we’ll use next.

Step 2: Dynamic Input Tool

• Drag in a Dynamic Input tool and connect it to the Directory tool.
• Under Input Data Source Template, browse to one of your example Excel files and select a sheet.
  • This tells Alteryx what the schema looks like so it knows how to read the rest.

• In the Field dropdown, choose FullPath.
  • This way, you are telling Alteryx: “For each row in the Directory output, replace the full path in my example file with the one from this row.”

Step 3: Run It

Hit run, and Alteryx will cycle through each file, read the data, and union it all into one clean dataset.

Bonus Read for Dynamic Input Tool : File Name Options

Dynamic Input lets you add a column to keep track of which file each row came from. Under Output File Name As (after you click 'Edit'), you can:

• Add the Full Path (folder + file + extension)
• Add just the File Name (handy if you don’t care about the folder)

Actions You Can Use (Optional)

• Append Suffix → e.g., if you want every sheet name to end with _2025.
• Prepend Prefix → e.g., add Raw_ before each file name.
• Change File/Table Name → useful if sheet names differ slightly across files.
• Change Entire File Path → lets you redirect the tool to a different folder dynamically.