# File panel

This panel includes fields for choosing the result file name, extension, and timestamp information. If data is split over several rows, multiple files are created. You can also preview the results from this panel.

| Field                                       | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Filename**                                | Specify the name and location of the Excel file to write the incoming rows from PDI. Variables or parameters can be used in this field. Do not include a file extension when the date and time are to be appended and the **Extension**option is specified.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| **Extension**                               | <p>Select the Excel file extension to append to the file name.</p><ul><li><strong>.xls \[Excel 97 and above]</strong></li><li><strong>.xlsx \[Excel 2007 and above]</strong></li></ul><p>The default extension is <code>.xls</code>.</p>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
| **Create parent folder**                    | <p>Specify whether a parent folder is created when it does not exist for the file specified in the <strong>Filename</strong> field. - Select this option to create the parent folder.</p><ul><li>Clear this option if the parent folder already exists; otherwise, an error is generated.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| **Stream XSLX data**                        | <p>Select this option when writing large .<code>.xlsx</code> files to the output file.</p><ul><li>Select this option to stream <code>.xlsx</code> files, which allows use of an API to write large files without any memory restrictions (not exceeding MS Excel's limit of 1,048,575 rows and 16,384 columns).</li><li>Clear this check box if you do not want to stream <code>.xlsx</code> files.</li></ul><p>This option is only available if you select <strong>.xlsx \[Excel 2007 and above]</strong> in the <strong>Extension</strong> field, above.</p> |
| **Split every ... data rows**               | Specify a positive number to create a new output file every 'n' data rows. For example, if you want to split the file every 200 data rows, then enter `200` in this field. The files will be numbered.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| **Include stepnr in filename?**             | <p>Select this option to include the copy number in the file name (<code>\_0</code>, for example) when you run the step in multiple copies, such as launching several copies of a step simultaneously.</p><ul><li>Select this option to append a copy number to the file name when multiple copies are launched.</li><li>Clear this option to keep the file name as is when multiple copies are launched. A copy number will not be appended.</li></ul>                                                                                                        |
| **Include date in filename?**               | <p>Select this option to include the system date in the file name, such as in the format <code>\_20181231</code>, for example.</p><ul><li>Select this option to append the system date to the file name.</li><li>Clear this option to keep the file name as is. The system date will not be appended.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| **Include time in filename?**               | <p>Select this option to include the system time in the file name, such as in the format <code>\_235959</code>, for example.</p><ul><li>Select this option to append the system time to the file name.</li><li>Clear this option to keep the file name as is. The system time will not be appended.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| **Specify Date time format?**               | <p>Select this option to include the date and time in the file name using a format from the <strong>Date time format</strong> field below.</p><ul><li>Select this option to append the system date and time to the file name.</li><li>Clear this option to keep the file name as is. The system date and time will not be appended.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| **Date time format**                        | From the list, select the date and time format you want to include in the file name. See [Common Formats](/pdia-data-integration/10.2-data-integration/pdi-transformation-steps-reference-overview/common-formats.md) for information on valid date and time formats you can use in this step.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| **Show filename(s)...**                     | Click to display a list of the files which will be generated.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| **If output file exists**                   | <p>Specify whether to replace an output file.</p><ul><li>Select <strong>Use existing file for writing</strong> to keep the existing output file and write new data to it.</li><li>Select <strong>Replace with new output file</strong> to overwrite the existing output file with a new output file and write new data to it.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| **Wait for first row before creating file** | <p>Specify when an output file is created.</p><ul><li>Select this option if you want to create the output file only after the system detects a row for writing to the file. If no rows are detected, no file is created.</li><li>Clear this option if you want to always create an output file, regardless of whether rows are written to the file.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| **Add filenames to result**                 | <p>Specify whether to add file names to the MS Excel output file.</p><ul><li>Select if you want to add file names to the Excel output file.</li><li>Clear if you do not want to add file names to the Excel output file.</li></ul>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |


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