Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

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Moving data from one Excel file to another

  • 1.  Moving data from one Excel file to another

    Posted Thu March 02, 2023 09:18 AM
    Edited by Thomas Weston Thu March 02, 2023 09:19 AM

    Hi I am trying to automate working with 2 excel files where if an order number doesn't exist in the main file then take it from the new file and add the data in.

    And loop through the file until every row has been checked.

    Is it better to do this work in a Macro then use RPA to run the Macro?



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    Thomas Weston
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  • 2.  RE: Moving data from one Excel file to another

    IBM Champion
    Posted Fri March 03, 2023 01:52 PM

    Hey Thomas,

    Generally speaking, IBM RPA can provide a straightforward solution to automate the process of comparing and updating data between two Excel files. By using RPA, you can automate the tasks of opening, reading, and writing data to Excel files, as well as performing the necessary comparison and update operations without the need for a separate Macro.

    All the best,



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    Martin Medina
    Salient Process
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  • 3.  RE: Moving data from one Excel file to another

    Posted Thu March 09, 2023 07:38 AM

    Thanks Martin!



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    Thomas Weston
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  • 4.  RE: Moving data from one Excel file to another

    Posted Mon March 06, 2023 01:48 AM

    Good question, Thomas. If you have RPA tooling and skills handy, you can certainly use that approach. A skilled VB developer could also do this with macros and lookups. Parameters for a fit-for-purpose between both would include the frequency of the procedure and the stability of the structure of the files to compare. Some authentication/security considerations as well. More importantly in favor of RPA, if additional automation could bring business value beyond the creation of another file (for instance, by adding the data straight into another system).



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    Jean Pommier
    Distinguished Engineer, IBM Business Automation
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  • 5.  RE: Moving data from one Excel file to another

    Posted Thu March 09, 2023 07:39 AM

    Thanks Jean!



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    Thomas Weston
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  • 6.  RE: Moving data from one Excel file to another

    Posted Mon March 06, 2023 09:57 AM

    Hi, RPA can surely provide added value with regard to automation of the process end to end, in reality if you also need to add some formatting or other additional steps in excel, or you need to work with .xlsm or template files, you will still need to use a macro. So if you make sure to handle exceptions correctly, running macro from RPA is definitely the most preferred option by RPA users. 



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    Dominik Mojzis
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  • 7.  RE: Moving data from one Excel file to another

    Posted Thu March 09, 2023 07:39 AM

    Thanks for the input Dominik!



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    Thomas Weston
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  • 8.  RE: Moving data from one Excel file to another

    Posted Wed March 08, 2023 02:39 AM

    Hello Thomas,

    another way how to do that is to use SQL, plesse refer to the following thread:

    https://community.ibm.com/community/user/automation/discussion/extract-row-from-excel-sheet

    Jiri



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    Jiří Mráz
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  • 9.  RE: Moving data from one Excel file to another

    Posted Thu March 09, 2023 07:40 AM

    Thanks Jiri, I'll check it out



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    Thomas Weston
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