Simple "Duplicate Column" method

[#1]

Can anyone think of a simple way of duplicating a selected column in a data table? Basically, I'd like to select the column, and get a "Copy Of" with all the attributes, values, etc. right next to the original, in a single menu item click. Doing it by adding, moving, setting types, copying values etc. is a pain. I suppose it could be scripted as an Add-In but I was hoping that there was a simpler way.

Thanks!

[#2]

So I created this as an Add-In. The bottom part (commented out) was an attempt to copy Column Properties but it didn't work. (This was what I was trying to avoid, but I had a long meeting with nothing better to do...) I'd still be interested if there's something more elegant than this approach.

dt = Current Data Table();

selcol = dt << Get Selected Columns;

selcolname = dt:selcol << Get Name();

newcname = "Copy Of " || selcolname;

newc = dt << New Column( newcname );

newclist = dt:newc << Get Name(); //in case this is a second copy!

movestr = "dt << Move Selected Columns({\!"%newclist%\!"}, After(\!"%selcolname%\!") );";

eval insert into(movestr,"%");

movestrexpr = Parse(movestr);

movestrexpr;

For Each Row(dt:newc = dt:selcol);

/*proplist = dt:selcol << Get Properties List();

for(i=1, i < N Items(proplist), i ++,

    currprop = Char(proplist);

    gotpropstr = "gotprop = dt:selcol << Get Property(\!"%currprop%\!");";

    eval insert into(gotpropstr,"%");

    gotpropstrexpr = Parse(gotpropstr);

    gotpropstrexpr;

    setpropstr = "newc << Eval List(Set Property(\!"%currprop%\!", List(gotprop)));";

    eval insert into(setpropstr,"%");

    setpropstrexpr = Parse(setpropstr);

    setpropstrexpr;

);

newcproplist = dt:newc << Get Properties List();

//Show Properties(dt:selcol);

*/

[#3 · Accepted solution]

Try something like this. It supports selection and copying of multiple columns.

Names Default To Here( 1 );

dt = Current Data Table();

cols = dt << get selected columns;

For( i = 1, i <= N Items( cols ), i++,

  dt << clear column selection;

  colscr = cols[i] << getscript;

  (Eval( Substitute( Name Expr( colscr ), Arg( Name Expr( colscr ), 1 ), "Copy of " || (cols[i] << get name) ) )) << set selected( 1 );

  dt << move selected columns( After( cols[i] ) );

);

[#4]

Thanks, getscript is exactly what I was missing in my scripting knowledge!