Help identifying correct data fields

jamesgough

Hello. I'm very new to Alteryx so apologies if this is a basic question but it has really stumped me.

Say I have 3 fields: X, Y and Z with votes for/against in each of them. However, the 3 fields are ordered randomly in each document so sometimes they will be X, Y and Z, sometimes Z, X, Y etc. I want to identify and label each field for future analysis.  There is an identifier for the field (i.e. X, Y and Z) but at different rows of the document. So I cannot assume a certain row or reference a particular row.

What I'm looking for is a way to say in a function "if any row of this column contains X then name this column "X", if not search entire column for Y and if yes then name column "Y", etc."

Sort of like the contains formula but extended for the entire field.

In my workflow, I want to identify the fields which contain "Mgmt Rec", "Vote Instruction" and ""Proponent". These are in different orders and whilst I usually use a unique identifier to isolate this info, "there isn't one for these, hence my question.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Alteryx1.yxmd

estherb47

Thanks, @jamesgough for the data.

Here's my approach. Dynamic rename can solve the challenge, but you need to create a list of the columns you want to rename.

So, transpose the F1-Fn columns into "Name" and "Value". Because "Vote" and "Instruction" were on separate lines in the dataset, I used a formula tool to fix the value to "Vote Instruction". Then filter for the values you want and grab a unique set of them.

Now you can use that list in the Dynamic Rename tool, to map the Field Names from the right input rows.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Esther

RenamingChallenge.yxzp