topic Re: Script to Change Column Names Using Column Properties in Discussions

Script to Change Column Names Using Column Properties

ShahirahLoqman — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 21:38:40 GMT

Hi, I am trying to script for my column names to be replaced with a specific column property called "Description". How do I extract whatever is stored under description and use that as my new column name?

I tried running my own script but it didn't really work out

dt = Current Data Table();
For( i = i, i <= N Cols( dt ), i++, 
 newname = (Column( dt, i ) << Get Column Properties("Description"));
Column( dt, i ) << Set Name(newname);
);

Appreciate the help!

Re: Script to Change Column Names Using Column Properties

gzmorgan0 — Fri, 01 May 2020 01:41:10 GMT

@ShahirahLoqman,

See script below. The syntax is Get Property( "name" )

Names Default to Here(1);

dt = New Table( "TestIt",
	Add Rows( 5 ),
	New Column( "A",
		Numeric,
		"Continuous",
		Format( "Best", 12 ),
		Set Property( "Description", "A description" ),
		Set Values( [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] )
	),
	New Column( "B",
		Numeric,
		"Continuous",
		Format( "Best", 12 ),
		Set Property( "Description", "Heck if I know" ),
		Set Values( [275, 300, 295, 280, 385] )
	)
);

For(i=1, i<=ncol(dt), i++,
  _xx = column(dt,i) << get property("Description");
  show(_xx);
  if( IsString(_xx), column(dt,i) << set name(_xx) );
);

Re: Script to Change Column Names Using Column Properties

txnelson — Fri, 01 May 2020 01:43:30 GMT

Great attempt......close but just a few, mainly syntax issues. You need to start looking up examples of the functions you are attempting to use, in the Scripting Index.

// Isolate the code to only impacting this script
// and not all scripts
Names Default To Here( 1 );
dt = Current Data Table();
// i=1 rather than i=i
For( i = 1, i <= N Cols( dt ), i++, 
	// Get Properties rather than Get Column Properties
	newname = Column( dt, i ) << Get Properties( "Description" );
	// If there isn't a Description Column Property you do not 
	// want to change the column name
	If( Is String( newname ),
		Column( dt, i ) << Set Name( newname )
	);
);

Re: Script to Change Column Names Using Column Properties

ShahirahLoqman — Fri, 01 May 2020 14:32:50 GMT

Thanks Jim! Unfortunately it's still not working even with the tweaks you suggested. I am not sure if it is my file. I tried using the Debug Script option but it crashed on me. I tried it on both JMP 14.1 and 15.0 and both could not execute the Debug Script.

Re: Script to Change Column Names Using Column Properties

txnelson — Fri, 01 May 2020 14:43:31 GMT

Can you upload your data table, and I will look into the issue further

Re: Script to Change Column Names Using Column Properties

ShahirahLoqman — Fri, 01 May 2020 15:05:03 GMT

Jim, I don't think I can upload as it is proprietary company data with 170k rows of information.

Do you have any suggestions on what I should check in my data table?

Re: Script to Change Column Names Using Column Properties

txnelson — Fri, 01 May 2020 15:15:11 GMT

You should be able to upload the data table, if you delete all of the rows of data. What you need done does not require any rows of data.

Even without using the debugger, you can step through lines of code. Just put a

throw();

in your code to stop execution at the point where you are having an issue. You can the highlight statement by statement and run each individual line. The by hovering over the variables of interest, you can see what values they have.

Re: Script to Change Column Names Using Column Properties

ShahirahLoqman — Fri, 01 May 2020 16:42:21 GMT

Jim, the script works now! just had to tweak Get Properties to Get Property. thanks so much :)