Finding a file with a changing name

[RobertWashingto]

Long time listener, first time caller

I'm working on an automation where i need to retrieve an excel file as a collection.  The problem is the file name changes as the last part is populated by the date and time of creation by the business area  eg. 'MonthlyOutputReport_02012020_0711'

Is there a way i can search for the file and use some kind of wildcard for the time stamp after the date?

Alternatively is it possible to return all the file name from a directory into a collection?

Any help appreciated.

------------------------------
Robert
------------------------------

[LucaValente · Accepted solution]

Hi Robert,

you can use the "Utility - File Management" VBO included in the BP installation folder ("Blue Prism Automate\VBO") to retrieve the files from a folder into a collection (specifically you can use the action "Get Files").


------------------------------
Luca Valente
Senior Product Consultant
Blue Prism
America/New_York
------------------------------

[Nicolaas_GSwart]

Hi Robert

You can use the "Get Files" action within the "Utility - File Management" VBO. In the "Patterns CSV" input you can use a wildcard for the timestamp after the date.
This will ensure you only retrieve the specific file.


------------------------------
Nicolaas G Swart
Advisory - PI
EY Namibia
Africa/Windhoek
------------------------------