Write Data to Box
Box Connectors in Designer
This page covers the capabilities of the new version of Box connectors. To know more about the older versions, visit Box, Box Input Tool (deprecated), or Box Output Tool (deprecated).
Use the Output Data tool to write data to your Box storage. Go to Box for general information.
If File Already Exists
Every supported format offers the same four actions. Select the one Designer should take when a file with the same name already exists in the destination.
Action | Behavior |
|---|---|
Abort | Stop the operation if a file with the same name already exists. |
Create a New File (default) | If a file with the same name exists, create a new one with a timestamp added to its name. Create a New File is the updated name for the legacy Rename option. |
Overwrite | Replace the contents of the existing file with the new data. |
Modify | Choose from a set of actions to modify the existing file. Modify includes Append, for XLSX files only. |
Nota
In Box connector versions 2.5.8 and earlier, Append was a separate existing-file action available for XLSX, CSV, and YXDB. In version 3.0.0, it is reached through Modify, and is available for XLSX only.vdv
The Upload File to Box output option is not available in version 3.0.0. It will be part of an upcoming release.
Capabilities
The Box connector lets you perform the following actions from the Output Data tool.
Create a New Folder
Box connector version 3.0.0 lets you create a new folder directly from the Output Data tool configuration, without leaving Designer.
To create a new folder, select the parent folder in the browser, create the new folder, and specify the name.
File Partitioning
Box connector version 3.0.0 can split a single output into multiple files.
Split your output into multiple files by a maximum number of rows, or by using values from a selected column.
By maximum records: Enter the maximum number of rows each output file should contain. Designer writes as many files as are needed.
By column: Select a column. Designer writes one file per distinct value in that column.
Partitioning is available for the XLSX file format.
Nota
File partitioning requires Designer version 2025.2 Patch 3 or later.
The connector validates the partitioning configuration upfront and rejects incompatible file format and partitioning combinations instead of failing during the write.
Supported Formats
These are the supported formats and options to write data:
If File Already Exists: Select the action Designer takes when writing data. See If File Already Exists.
Delimiters: Enter the delimiter character.
First Row Contains Field Names: Select the checkbox to indicate the first row of the data as field names.
Quote Output Fields: Select to add quotes to fields.
Code Page: Select the code page of the file.
Line Ending Style: Select the line ending style. Available options are Windows, Unix, and Mac.
Write BOM: Select the checkbox to include the byte order mark.
Suppress Output if No Records: Select to cancel the workflow if there are no records to write.
If File Already Exists: Select the action Designer takes when writing data. See If File Already Exists.
Sheet Name: Enter the name of the sheet to which to write data.
Skip Field Names: Select the checkbox to omit field names.
Suppress Output if No Records: Select to cancel the workflow if there are no records to write.
Specify a Range (cells, rows or columns): Select the checkbox to further specify the range to which to write data. The From and To fields accept alphabetical characters for columns, numbers for rows, and combinations of alphabetical characters and numbers for specific cells. Example: A, 1, A1.
XLSX is the only format that supports File Partitioning and the Append option with Modify.
Box connector version 3.0.0 can write YXDB files. YXDB is provided by the platform file formats, so it is supported as it is for any other file-based connector.
If File Already Exists: Select the action Designer takes when writing data. See If File Already Exists.
No Spatial Index: Omits creating a spatial index for the output file.
Save Source and Description: Saves the input source and field descriptions with the metadata.
Suppress Output if No Records: Select to cancel the workflow if there are no records to write.
If File Already Exists: Select the action Designer takes when writing data. See If File Already Exists.
Code Page: Select the code page of the file.
If File Already Exists: Select the action Designer takes when writing data. See If File Already Exists.
Enable Compression (Deflate): Compress the output using the Deflate codec.
Support Null Values: Supports null values in the output.
Box connector version 3.0.0 can write Parquet files. Requires Designer 2026.2 or later.
The write options are the standard Alteryx options for Parquet. The Box connector does not add or restrict any of these options.