> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.auditboardanalytics.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.auditboardanalytics.com/tools/transform/edit-columns.md).

# Edit Columns

The Edit Columns tool is most often used immediately following an import tool. It has 5 distinct uses:

* Rename columns
* Retype columns
* Reformat columns
* Reorder columns
* Add description metadata to columns

<figure><img src="https://1817223046-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F5mI0ilekQtcGTXKGQ2EF%2Fuploads%2FyN2hRmdlp5Tdfsntqztq%2FProperty%201%3DEdit%20Columns.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=206d7f37-3c0e-4190-b67b-3f865484f29a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Input, Output

Drag an Edit Columns tool to your workflow canvas. Connect a downstream tabular-data output to the input of your Edit Columns tool. Click it once to see the tool preview. Click it again to open and configure the tool.

| Input            | Output                                                                       |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Any single table | A single table with columns that have been renamed, retyped, and reformatted |

### Navigating Columns

On the right side, you will see your results table, it represents the output of the tool. On the left side, is the configuration panel. Left/right buttons control which column is selected. Column metadata for the selected column is shown underneath.

<figure><img src="https://1817223046-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F5mI0ilekQtcGTXKGQ2EF%2Fuploads%2FM5TzEQQiBBWhF9ZodF6V%2Fdocs_editcolumnsconfig_01%402x.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=3e69a559-3579-4189-8911-17db210eb7e5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Rename and Retype

Adjust the metadata fields for the selected column. Make your changes and hit `Enter`. Changes can be identified in the results table by looking for the green column header. Reconfigurable column details include:

* **Name**: Provide a new name for a column, effectively works as a rename
* **Type**: Assign a specific data type to a column (String, Number-Whole, Number-Decimal, Percent, Datetime, Duration, Boolean)
* **Format**: For applicable data types, assign a specific format to certain data types
* **Description**: Collaborate with team members, provide a column description for others to see

### Reordering

Columns can be reordered left to right, from the results table. Using your cursor, grab a column by the column-header, drag it to a new location, and release. The final column order will be represented in the tool output.


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