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Columns functions

These functions are available from the functions list, as well as the menu in the header of a given column. If it is the latter, click Menu and select the function to apply.

Create new column

Creates a new column in the table.

Properties

Property Configuration
New column name

Enter the name you want to give the new column. If you do not specify a name, the default name of the new column will be new_column_name
Anchor column

From the drop-down list, select the column next to which the new column will be created.
Right of anchor Use this toggle to select if you want to create the new column on the left or right of the anchor column. Leave the toggle selected to create it on the right, unselect it to create it on the left.
Fill column with

From the drop-down list, select if you want the cells of new column to contain predefined values or a specific one.

  • Empty: The column will only contain empty values.

  • NULL: The column will only contain NULL values.

  • Value: Use this option to freely set a specific value for the column cells, in the Value field.

  • Sequence: The column will be filled with a sequence of numbers. Set a Start value and a Step value to decide the incrementation.
Information noteApplied filters are not taken into account when using this function.

Create calculated column

Add a new column based on a Qlik script expression.

Properties

Property Configuration
New column name

Enter the name for the new calculated column.
Anchor column

Select the column used as the position reference for the new calculated column from the drop-down list.
Right of anchor

Use this toggle to select if you want to create the new column on the left or right of the anchor column. Leave the toggle selected to create it on the right, unselect it to create it on the left.
Expression

Enter a Qlik script expression to calculate the values in the new column.
Open editor

Open the powerful expression editor to easily insert column names and functions, open documentation, and check the validity of the expression.

Using the expression editor

Clicking the Open editor button in the configuration panel opens the Expression editor, a powerful script editor to help you create your calculated columns. Easily insert column names or functions, open documentation and check the validity of your expressions.

Using the expression editor to create a calculated column

In the left panel, you can view the columns currently in your table and browse a wide range of Qlik script functions. This panel is organized in two tabs:

  • Fields, where the columns available in the table are listed. Point your mouse over any of the column names and click + to directly insert it in the expression.

  • Functions, where you can browse Qlik functions. You can use the search field to look for a specific function, or use the Function category drop-down to filter them.

    Point your mouse over any of the functions and click + to directly insert it in the expression.

  • If you select the Explainer guide toggle, a short description and a link to the documentation will be displayed when clicking a function.

In the top panel, you can enable or disable three tools to help and guide you while writing script, as well as undo and redo buttons to fix potential mistakes.

  • Search and replace, to automatically look for specific values and replace them if needed.

    Search and replace feature of the expression editor

  • Help mode, to turn any function you write in the script into clickable links that will take you to the documentation.

    Activating the help mode in the script editor

  • Autocomplete, to display suggestions as you type, with a short description and example of a function.

    Using autocomplete to write a script function

The bottom panel describes any potential error with your script, such as incorrect column names or invalid expressions.

The validation tool showing an error in the script

When the status panel shows a green Ok, your expression is valid. Click Confirm to use this expression for your calculated column and return to the table. You can then apply the function configuration.

Examples

Use case Expression Result
Apply a percentage increase to numeric values [Sales] * 1.25 Multiplies the values in the Sales column by 1.25.
Flag records that match specific criteria IF([Country] = 'France', 'Yes', 'No') Creates a column with "Yes" for rows where the Country column is equal to France, and "No" for the other rows.
Using if/then/else conditions 
If(Temperature <= 0 , 'Freezing',
If(Temperature >= 100, 'Boiling',
If(Temperature >0 AND Temperature < 100, 'Between')))
 Creates a column with "Freezing" for rows where the Temperature column is less than or equal to 0, "Boiling" for rows where the Temperature column is greater than or equal to 100, and "Between" for rows where the Temperature column is between 0 and 100.
Information note

When writing expressions, reference fields with square brackets, for example [Sales].

Delete column

Deletes a column from the table.

Properties

Property Configuration
Columns to process

Select the column or columns you want to remove.

If you want to delete more than one column, use the drop-down list to select which columns, and click Apply.

Duplicate column

Duplicates a column and its content.

Properties

Property Configuration
Columns to process

Select the column or columns you want to duplicate.

If you want to duplicate more than one column, use the drop-down list to select which columns, and click Apply.
New column name

Enter the name you want to give the new column. If you do not specify a name, the default name of the new column will be <column_name>_copy.
Information noteApplied filters are not taken into account when using this function.

Rename column

Renames a column.

Properties

Property Configuration
Column to rename

Use the drop down list to select the column to rename.
New column name

Enter the new name you want to give the column. The default name of the new column will be <column_name>_renamed.
Tip noteAlternatively, you can use this function by double-clicking the header of a column.

Reorder column

Moves a column to a new place in the table.

Properties

Property Configuration
Column

Use the drop down list to select the column to move.
Anchor column

From the drop-down list, select the column next to which the selected column will be moved.
Right of anchor Use this toggle to select if you want to move the selected column on the left or right of the anchor column. Leave the toggle selected to move it to the right, unselect it to move to the left.
Tip noteAlternatively, you can reorder your columns in the table using drag and drop on a column header.

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