topic Rename column using first row's value in Discussions

Rename column using first row's value

Bryan — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 10:38:27 GMT

I'm trying to name my column names based on the string word in the first row of every other column as per described in the picture.

My script can't seem to work. I am finding a way to get the string value in the first row but doesn't seem to work. Can you help me out?

dt = Current Data Table();

newname = dt << select rows (1) << print ;

For( i = 2, i <= N Cols( dt ), i=i+2,

Column( dt, i+1 ) << Set Name( newname );

);

Re: Rename column using first row's value

Mark_Bailey — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 11:26:49 GMT

Try this script:

Names Default to Here( 1 );

dt = Current Data Table()

For( c = 2, c < N Col( dt ), c += 2,
	Column( dt, c+1 ) << Set Name( Column( dt, c )[1] );
);

Re: Rename column using first row's value

SpannerHead — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:15:38 GMT

@Mark_Bailey

Works well. You're missing a : after

dt = Current Data Table()

Should be

dt = Current Data Table();

Otherwise great

Re: Rename column using first row's value

hogi — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:58:09 GMT

in previous versions (<=18), one could use this workflow:

- duplicate the first row (we don't want to miss the entries in the next step)

- use Cols/Column Names/move-up to use the duplicate 1st row as temporary column names

- to shift the names by 1:
- copy the column temporary names via CTRL+C [done, but not visible in the video]
- delete the first column [otherwise name will be name2]
- mark the remaining columns
- paste the column names from the clipboard [please notice the change of the column names at the end]

(view in My Videos)