Send files from one folder to several datasets

Which rule takes a file

The order is:

1. The folder's own rules, in the order you set (a new rule goes last).
2. Rules from parent folders whose automation has Include subfolders on, closest parent first. These show "from" and the parent folder's name in the list.

See the folder's other rules while you set one up

If other Data Consolidation automations already watch the folder, the Select source folder step shows a note such as This folder already has 2 rules, listing each rule's pattern and automation name: "A file goes by the first rule it matches. A new rule goes last; reorder them from the folder." If recent files would match your new rule but an earlier rule takes them, it says so, for example "3 of this folder's recent files also match this rule, and an earlier rule takes them." Narrow your pattern, or reorder the rules after you save.

Read the folder's automations box

A watched folder's toolbar shows a box for each automation on it, after New folder. A rule's box reads like Files go into Sales, or *_sales.csv into Sales when it has a name pattern. A suspended automation shows Paused. Click a box to open its card:

The card ends with: "Once a file is added it leaves this folder. A file that can't be added stays here, and we'll tell you why." Click View automation (View where space is short) to open the automation in the Automations tab. Its History lists every file it took in, how it arrived (Uploaded file, Collected file, Moved in or Added on request) and how it went, for example "2 of 3 added". A File Collection that brings files into the folder has its own box with Brings in and Last run.

With two or more automations, a list box (for example 2 automations) opens This folder's automations. With more than two, only the first keeps its own box and the rest fold into the list box, which then reads, for example, +2 more. The list shows the rules in order (under "Files added here go by the first rule they match"), then Bringing files in. The last line says what happens to the rest: "Anything no rule takes stays here", or "Nothing stays here: rule 2 takes every file the ones above it don't" when a rule takes all files.

In the Data Library list, a watched folder shows Watched and which dataset it feeds ("feeds Sales" or "feeds 2 datasets"), and counts files that couldn't be added, for example "3 not added". A destination dataset shows "Fed by" and the folder's name.

Reorder a folder's rules

1. Open the watched folder and click the list box (for example 2 automations) to open This folder's automations.
2. Click Reorder rules.
3. Use Move up and Move down on the folder's own rules. Rules from parent folders can't be moved here.
4. Click Save order, then confirm in Change the order of this folder's rules?: "From now on, a file matching more than one rule goes by the first of them in this order. Files already added stay where they are."

You see "Rule order saved", or "Couldn't save the order. Nothing changed." if it failed. Reorder rules is not shown to people with view-only access, or when the folder has only one rule of its own.

Check where uploaded files will go

When you upload files into a watched folder from Add data, the upload shows Where these files go while it checks ("Checking where these files go…"). Each file shows its destination (for example "→ Sales"), or Stays here with "No rule takes it, so it becomes its own dataset here." A file matching two rules says which wins, for example "Also matches Returns, but Sales comes first." The note reads "Added files leave this folder once they're in their dataset."

Troubleshooting

Related

• Combine files dropped in a folder into one dataset: set up each rule.
• Fix files a watched folder didn't add: files a rule took but couldn't add.
• Folders and folder rules: create folders.
• Upload files: the upload dialog.