The Rename transformation in Nexadata Pipelines allows you to change the name of a selected column, making it more meaningful or aligning it with a standardized naming convention. This transformation is helpful for improving data clarity and consistency. You can configure the transformation using Natural Language Mode or Advanced Mode, depending on the level of control required.
Inputs for the Rename Transformation
Name of the Transformation: In Natural Language Mode, the transformation name is automatically generated, but you can update it later in Advanced Mode. For instance, you might rename it to "Rename Department Code" or "Update Sales Column Name".
Select Column to Rename: Choose the column you want to rename. For example, "Emp_ID" or "Sales_Amount".
New Column Name: Enter the new name for the selected column. This should be unique and clearly descriptive, such as "Employee_ID" or "Total_Sales".
Using Natural Language Mode
In Natural Language Mode, simply describe the renaming you want, and Nexadata will automatically configure the transformation. The transformation name is auto-generated but can be modified later in Advanced Mode.
Example Instructions in Natural Language Mode
Rename the Emp_ID column to Employee_ID.
Change Sales_Amount to Total_Sales.
Rename Department to Department_Name.
Update Revenue column name to Annual_Revenue.
Rename Join_Date to Hire_Date.
Note: If Natural Language Mode doesn’t fully capture your requirements, you can switch to Advanced Mode to make adjustments.
Using Advanced Mode
In Advanced Mode, you have complete control over the Rename transformation, allowing you to manually select a column and assign a new name. Advanced Mode allows for detailed control, ensuring the transformation precisely aligns with your analytical needs.
Steps in Advanced Mode
Name of the Transformation: Enter or update a custom name, such as "Rename Employee ID Column" or "Update Revenue Column Name".
Select Column to Rename: Choose the column you wish to rename, such as "Emp_ID" or "Sales".
New Column Name: Enter the new name for the column, such as "Employee_ID" or "Total_Sales".
Example Use Case
The Rename transformation is ideal when you want to clarify column names. For example, if your dataset has an Emp_ID column, and you want it to be more descriptive, you can rename it to Employee_ID. For example:
Transformation Name: Rename Employee ID Column
Select Column to Rename: Emp_ID
New Column Name: Employee_ID
This setup will rename Emp_ID to Employee_ID, enhancing clarity in the dataset.
Summary
The Rename transformation in Nexadata Pipelines provides a quick way to update column names, improving data readability and consistency. Use Natural Language Mode for a fast setup or Advanced Mode for more control. This transformation is ideal for refining datasets by making column names more descriptive and standardized.