Arcadia Data allows users to change the effective data type of a column in the dataset model without changing the source data. This is useful in many business environments to ensure correct processing of numerical codes, catalog numbers, event ids, dates, and so on.
The following steps demonstrate how to change the type of a column. We are using the column iso_cc
(the ISO-compliant country code) in the dataset World Life Expectancy [data source samples.world_life_expectancy].
On the main navigation bar, click Data.
The Data view appears, open on the Datasets tab.
In the Datasets area, select
World Life Expectancy
(samples.world_life_expectancy)
.
In the Dataset Detail menu, select Fields.
In the Fields interface, select Edit Fields.
Under Dimensions, find the field iso_cc
, and
click the (down arrow) icon,
immediately following the # icon.
In the menu, select String.
Under Dataset: World Life Expectancy, click Save.
As a result of this change, all new visuals created from this dataset will automatically use the new type. However, this may 'break' the visuals that already use the column in aggregations or custom expressions.