Azure Data Lake File Output Tool

Use the Azure Data Lake Store (ADLS) File Output tool to read data from files located in your ADLS to your Alteryx workflow. The supported file formats are CSV, JSON, and Avro.

Gallery tool

This tool is not automatically installed with Alteryx Designer. To use this tool, download it from the Alteryx Analytics Gallery.

Configure the tool

There are two different authentication types.

  1. End user - An authentication method leveraging Microsoft account credentials to establish a connection to ADLS. This authentication type requires user interaction when entering in your credentials.
    1. Authentication requires:
      1. Store name - The unique name of the Azure Data Lake Storage resource.
      2. Tenant ID - The unique identifier to be defined for the Azure Active Directory instance. This identifier governs the Azure subscription to which the ADLS belongs.
      3. Client ID - The application ID for the Azure Active Directory native application.
      4. Redirect URI - The Reply URI or Reply URL, also known as the URI at which the Azure AD will send a response to complete the authentication process.
      5. Default value is https://login.live.com/oauth20_desktop.srf
  2. Service-to-Service - An authentication method recommended for workflows that are scheduled and need to run without user interaction.
    1. Authentication requires:
      1. Store name - The unique name of the Azure Data Lake Storage resource.
      2. Tenant ID - The unique identifier to be defined for the Azure Active Directory instance. This identifier governs the Azure subscription to which the ADLS belongs.
      3. Client ID - The application ID for the Azure Active Directory native application.
      4. Secret Key - The application secret for the Azure Active Directory application.
The Connect button will be enabled when all required information has been entered.
  • File path: Select a file to write to.
    • Create files and/or folders by typing a new file name, or a path with a file name. If the file or path does not yet exist, Alteryx will create it for you.
    • To begin, click Select. Hover over the Data Lake resource, and to the right, a folder and file will appear giving you the ability to choose either option.
      • A file:
        • Select the file option.
        • Enter a file name.
        • Click the check mark to the right of the text box where the file name was entered for it to be saved.
      • A folder: 
        • Select the folder option.
        • Enter a folder name.
        • Click the check mark to the right of the text box where the folder name was entered for it to be saved.
          • Add a file or folder:
            • To the right of the created folder, upon hovering, another option of adding a file or folder is given. Select your choice and repeat the process.
  • File format: CSV/Avro/JSON.
  • Code page: Encoding to use when writing the file.
  • Existing file action: Select an option to define the action the tool should take if the file already exists.
    • Abort: If the file exists, the tool will stop and report an error.
    • Overwrite: Overwrite the file.
    • Append: Append to the file. The number of fields (columns) must match.

Access Permissions

The Azure Data Lake Explorer must grant permissions to read and write data within an Azure Data Lake Store account. For more information about how these permissions are assigned and applied, please visit the official Microsoft documentation.