7 Replies Latest reply on Nov 2, 2016 11:40 AM by Chris Cariglia

Opening all files in a directory

Chris Cariglia Nov 2, 2016 10:49 AM

I've just started using Tableau and I was given version 9.3 at my organization. I know version 10 is out and available but I'm trying to work with what I was given. I've seen in some reviews and discussions on the tool that you could open several files in a directory. I can't however figure out how to do that myself.

I can see in an article on http://vizpainter.com/9-tips-and-tricks-for-using-unions-in-tableau-9-3/ that the user was able to access all files located in the same directory in step one of the article. He then proceeds to use Union to join the files. Can open a directory of files be performed in Tableau 9.3? I have a few Excel files I'd like to bring into Tableau this way.

1. Re: Opening all files in a directory

Jeff Strauss Nov 2, 2016 10:53 AM (in response to Chris Cariglia)

have you seen this post? I think it demos how to grab multiple Excel workbooks and union them together. http://www.tableau.com/about/blog/2016/1/combine-your-data-files-union-tableau-93-48891
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2. Re: Opening all files in a directory

Chris Cariglia Nov 2, 2016 10:58 AM (in response to Jeff Strauss)

I appreciate the info Jeff. I had seen that entry as well and it does explain how to link files once they're within Tableau.

I'm trying to get the the step before that. Note in the 2nd image there's a link to all the files under the "Directory" heading. Below that are all the files within the directory in question. I'm trying to figure out how to link a given directory to Tableau and have access to all files within that directory so I can start manipulating the data.
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3. Re: Opening all files in a directory

Jeff Strauss Nov 2, 2016 11:19 AM (in response to Chris Cariglia)

I see what you are talking about and I tried it on version 10. It seems like it works with csv and text files. Not Excel. Try it out with a simple example and confirm.
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4. Re: Opening all files in a directory

Chris Cariglia Nov 2, 2016 11:31 AM (in response to Jeff Strauss)

Thanks for the suggestion Jeff.

I converted all XLSX files to MS-DOS CSV compatible files and I get the same results. I'm sure there's something obvious being overlooked here but I really can't seem to see it.
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5. Re: Opening all files in a directory

Jeff Strauss Nov 2, 2016 11:36 AM (in response to Chris Cariglia)

it seems to work better for me when converting to CSV. I just created 2 dummy csv files under a test directory. and then I connected to the first one (June) via connecting to a text file, and then it lets me drag May right underneath June.
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6. Re: Opening all files in a directory

Evan Zamir Nov 2, 2016 11:36 AM (in response to Chris Cariglia)

I have 10.1 and am trying to union a multi-part JSON data set (produced from Spark). I don't see anywhere how this is possible.
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7. Re: Opening all files in a directory

Chris Cariglia Nov 2, 2016 11:40 AM (in response to Jeff Strauss)

Jeff you're right! I was look for a new "open directory" option when I pointed to the new file. As soon as I opened the new file I was presented with that file as well as all others in the same directory.

Thanks for the assistance!
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