convert literal column names to a list of strings

[#1]

If I have a list of column literal references, how can I convert them to a list of the string names? Can it be done directly without subsetting the columns first?

col_names = {:Column 1, :"Y (%)"n, :"Quotes \!":name\!""n, :group}

[#2]

If the 4 column names you are specifying are the complete list of columns in the data table, the easiest way to turn them into a list is

col_names = current data table() << get column names( string );

The "string" argument tells the function to place each column name into the list as a literal string.  

See the Scripting Index for a more complete list of arguments and examples

[#3]

Agree, this would be a nice option if we subset those columns into a private temp table say

[#4 · Accepted solution]

Getting the directly in correct format is often the easiest option (like Jim did show). You can also convert the list for example by using Transform Each and << Get Name.

Names Default To Here(1);
dt = New Table("Untitled",
	Add Rows(0),
	Compress File When Saved(1),
	New Column("Column 1", Numeric, "Continuous", Format("Best", 12), Set Values([])),
	New Column("Y (%)", Numeric, "Continuous", Format("Best", 12), Set Values([])),
	New Column("Quotes \!":name\!"", Numeric, "Continuous", Format("Best", 12), Set Values([])),
	New Column("group", Numeric, "Continuous", Format("Best", 12), Set Values([]))
);
col_names = {:Column 1, :"Y (%)"n, :"Quotes \!":name\!""n, :group};

col_names_str = Transform Each({col_name}, col_names, col_name << get name);