031 Iterate Through A List Of Files

Use the Files Loop Action when a package needs to process matching files one at a time.

Advanced ETL Processor
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The Files Loop Action iterates through a list of files and assigns the current file name to the #LoopValue# variable. That lets one tested package action handle many files without cloning the same step until the screen looks like a filing cabinet accident.

What You Will Learn

  • Use Files Loop Action to iterate through matching files.
  • Pass the current file name through the #LoopValue# variable.
  • Control which files are selected with file age, count, and size parameters.
  • Resume loop execution after failure when processing must continue safely.

Before You Start

Use a test folder first. File loops are very efficient at repeating mistakes across an entire directory.

Files Loop Action Docs For File Processing

The Files Loop Action iterates through a list of files and stores the current file name in #LoopValue#. Downstream package actions can then read, move, transform, or load the file currently being processed.

The documentation explains the metadata, parameters, variables, execution log, and resume behaviour. The N Value parameter changes meaning depending on the selected file rule, such as files older than N days, first N found files, or files bigger than N bytes.

For network folders, use UNC paths instead of mapped drives. Mapped drives often disappear when a package runs under a service account, which is Windows politely saying it has never heard of your Z drive.

Need Advanced ETL Processor First?

Download the Advanced ETL Processor trial before following the tutorial, or review Enterprise if you need scheduled unattended execution.