topic Re: Select column name using contains function in Discussions

Select column name using contains function

AT — Wed, 30 May 2018 17:07:20 GMT

Hi,

I like to select multiple columns that have names contains a string. I tried below script and no error but the columns does not get selected.

col_list = dt3 << get column names(string);
for( i = 1, i <= N Items( col_list ), i++,
If(Contains( col_list[i], "A_B_C" ),
Column(col_list[i] ) << Set Selected (1)
)
);

When I check col_list, it has all the colums in entire data table. I appreciate your help. Thanks

Re: Select column name using contains function

uday_guntupalli — Wed, 30 May 2018 17:03:22 GMT

@AT,
I think you have the Contains() arguments inverted.

dt = Current Data Table(); 

Col_List = dt << Get Column Names("String"); 

for(i = 1, i <= N Items(Col_List),i++,
		If(Contains("A_B_C",Col_List[i]),
			Column(Col_List[i]) << Set Selected(1);
		  );
   );

Re: Select column name using contains function

AT — Wed, 30 May 2018 17:52:23 GMT

Thanks. I tried your script but with differer example and I still have an issue.

Names Default To Here( 1 );
dt = Current Data Table();

Col_List = dt << Get Column Names("String");

for(i = 1, i <= N Items(Col_List),i++,
If(Contains("A_B_C",Col_List[i]),
Column(Col_List[i]) << Set Selected(1);
);
);

The columns A_B_C and A is selcted. I don't understand why. I appreciate your help. I have attached the image result.

Re: Select column name using contains function

Byron_JMP — Thu, 31 May 2018 23:42:37 GMT

there might be a couple of things going on.

One posibility is that a column is selected before the script runs?

Try adding this to the beginning of your script, right after dt is defined.

dt << Clear Selection;

Re: Select column name using contains function

txnelson — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 03:04:08 GMT

The Contains() function takes the 2nd argument and looks into the 1st argument to see if the 2nd argument's value can be found in the first argument. Therefore, if the Contains() function is

Contains("A_B_C", Col_List[i])

and the value of Col_List[i] = "A_B_C" it will take the value "A_B_C" and look into the first arguement to see if it can be found. Which it can, because the first arguement contains "A_B_C". Now if the column name is "A", and you do the same comparison, the Contains() function will take the 2nd arguement, "A" and look into the 1st arguement, "A_B_C" and it will find that an "A" is in the first arguement, and therefore it will be a true comparison.

Thus, the original form of the Contains() function is what is wanted

Names Default To Here( 1 );
dt = Current Data Table();

Col_List = dt << Get Column Names("String");

for(i = 1, i <= N Items(Col_List),i++,
If(Contains(Col_List[i], "A_B_C"),
Column(Col_List[i]) << Set Selected(1);
);
);

Re: Select column name using contains function

AT — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 16:19:44 GMT

Thanks Jim for your help. It works well now.