How to change the data type of ONLY certain cells?

[45179902]

I have an input file with a column that contains dates in a few rows and other stuff in other rows. I need to ensure all cells that contain a date to be in Date data type.

I've checked metadata in the results window. The column currently uses the V_WString data type. Perhaps that is because this column is mixed with non-date entries. I need to preserve the layout and change ONLY the cells that include dates to Date date type. The Select tool only allows me to change an entire column to a chosen data type. What can I do to achieve my goal?

Example:

I've created an example below. Supposed that this column is Column 2. How do I change the data type of Today's Date cell (24-Dec-21) and Birth Date (24-Sep-99) to Date data type?

Column 1	Column 2
Code	E24122021
Today's Date	24-Dec-21
First Name	George
Last Name	Li
Birth Date	24-Sep-99

[Qiu]

@45179902 

I am sorry but I believe that Alteryx does NOT allow mixed data type in one column.

[cmcclellan · Accepted solution]

Alteryx doesn't work like Excel ... which is a good thing!

In Alteryx, a field (ie column) as a single datatype.

You have 2 choices here 

1) change Column 2 to Date (and lose all the other field values)

OR (this is your best option....)

2) Use the Transpose tool to create 5 columns and then set your 2 date fields to a Date datatype.

[binuacs]

@45179902  I agree with @Qiu and @cmcclellan . If you want to only convert the string date into date format use the DateTimeParseTool as @cmcclellan suggested

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