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Sanitize Column Names

If needed, you can clean the names of the columns in your dataset. When column names are sanitized:

  • alphanumeric characters and underscores (_) are permitted

  • spacebars are converted to underscores

  • all other characters are removed

AlthoughDesigner Cloud Powered by Trifacta Enterprise Editionsupports a wider range of characters, you may wish to sanitize your column names to simplify publishing to and import into downstream systems.

Tip

Sanitized names matches the column names supported in Release 5.0 and earlier.

Sanitize during Import

The above sanitization can be applied to your column names when the dataset is imported.

Tip

If you notice issues with references to your column names in your recipes, you may be able to fix them by re-importing the dataset and choosing to sanitize during import.

Steps:

  1. In the left nav bar, click the Datasets icon.

  2. Click Import Data.

  3. Select the file or table to import.

  4. Click Edit Settings.

  5. In the dialog, select Remove special characters from column names.

  6. Complete the import of the dataset.

For more information, see Import Data Page.

Sanitize via Transformation

Through the Transform Builder, you can add a step to sanitize column names in your recipe.

Transformation Name

Rename by removing special characters

Parameter: Option

Clean current column names

Tip

If you are sanitizing your column names for downstream systems, you should add this step at the end of your recipe.

You can perform more fine-grained column renaming operations. See Rename Columns.

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