topic Join data into existing table in Discussions

Join data into existing table

JWi — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 14:51:46 GMT

I'd like to join two data tables by a matching column. However, I do not want JMP to create a new table with the result. The joined columns from the second table should be appended at the first table. I thought the "Update main table ..." option would do this, however it does not work for me (tested JMP 14 and 15). How can I make this work? Here's a minimal example demonstrating the issue:

I have to table "Untitled 3" and "Untitled 4", which I want to join by matching values in "Column 1". The join works perfectly if it creates a new table (option "Update main table ..." disabled), the correct result is contained in table "Untitled 17":

However, if I activate the option "Update main table ...", after clicking "Create" still a new table is created, but it is only a copy of table "Untitled 3" and also in table "Untitled 3", the data is unchanged and the data from table "Untitled 4" is not contained:

Here, the join has actually not been performed. I would rather expect that after performing the join in the second screenshot, table "Untitled 3" would contain the additional column "Column 3" with the data as in table "Untitled 17" in the first screenshot.

Thanks for any hint.

Re: Join data into existing table

Dan_Obermiller — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 15:16:43 GMT

I think you misunderstand what the Update Main Table checkbox does. From the JMP Help:

Update main table with data from second table

Data in the original table are updated with data in columns that have the same names. The results are displayed in a new data table. Data in the original table are updated with data in columns that have the same names.

Note the following:

–JMP does not replace data with missing values.

–The output table uses the same columns as the original table. Thus, when you use Update main table with data from second table, Select Columns for joined table is not applicable.

–The Update main table with data from second table option is available only when joining by row number or by matching columns.

end of JMP help

The join command always creates a new table. If you wish to avoid that, you should consider using a Virtual Join. That is a way to join two tables without creating a third table.

Re: Join data into existing table

pmroz — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 18:01:57 GMT

The Tables > Update command will do exactly what you want.

Re: Join data into existing table

hogi — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 20:11:39 GMT

here is a list why it can be very time-consuming to use Tables/Update:

and here is a wish to add "update main table" as an option to the Tables/Join platform:

Re: Join data into existing table

hogi — Wed, 28 Jun 2023 20:14:30 GMT

The new Tables/Join platform (with Update functionality) could look like this:

https://community.jmp.com/t5/JMP-Wish-List/Tables-join-option-to-update-main-table/idc-p/653857/highlight/true#M4537