Summary

During the Map Columns step of the file import process, you can split up a column's data into multiple columns. Once created, these columns can be mapped to MindBridge columns, or added for additional filtering in the analysis results.

There are many reasons you may want to split a column, depending on the nature of the data and your specific analysis goals. Among other things, splitting a column can help you categorize, aggregate, or summarize the data at a higher level, or normalize the data so it's consistent and easier to work with. For example, a "Date and Time" column may be split into separate "Date" and "Time" columns for analysis.

Learn how to split a column within an analysis in MindBridge.

Split a column

1. Under Your Data Column Headers, select the more actions icon ( ) to the right of the column you want to split.
2. Select Split column. A form window will appear and you will see sample data from the selected column.
3. Use the Split by menu to select how you want to split the column:
   • Delimiter: Separates a text value into two or more columns based on a specific character.
   • Position: Allows you to highlight sections of the data within a column to split apart.
4. Depending on your selection, the following steps will change. Refer to the instructions for each section to proceed.

Split by delimiter

Splitting by delimiter means that column data is separated by a special character. For example, an Account ID column formatted as "11111.11.111" can be split into three columns using the period ( . ) character as the delimiter.

1. Delimiter is selected by default in the Split by menu.
2. Use the Delimiter type menu (located to the right) to select a delimiter character.
3. Optionally, if your desired delimiter does not appear in the menu, enter it with your keyboard then select Add item. The new columns will appear in the Data Preview section along with sample data that indicates how the data will be separated.
4. Enter a name for each new desired column in the Column Header fields.
5. Use the checkboxes (located to the right, next to Add) to select which columns you want to create, as not all of the created columns may be desired.
6. When you are satisfied, select Save. The new column(s) will appear at the bottom of your column list on the Map Columns step and can be identified by the blue dot in the upper right corner of its name.

Split by position

Splitting by position allows you to highlight sections of the data within a column to split out. This can be helpful for cases where there is no delimiter, or if you want to include the delimiter within your selection.

1. Select Position in the Split by menu.
2. Select your desired option from the Test value menu to. Your selection will populate the section below, allowing you to highlight one or more portions of the data.
3. Use your mouse to highlight the data you want to split within the Highlight to split field.
4. If you want to split the column into several new columns, select Create new split. The test value you selected will be duplicated, and you will be able to highlight a different section of the data, as needed. New splits will appear as new columns in the Data Preview section.
5. Enter a name for each new desired column in the Column Header fields.
6. Use the checkboxes (located to the right, next to Add) to select which columns you want to create, as not all of the created columns may be desired.
7. When you are satisfied, select Save. The new column(s) will appear at the bottom of your column list on the Map Columns step and can be identified by the blue dot in the upper right corner of its name.
   
   

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• Join columns
• Duplicate a column