Various columns with different names

[kmcgraw2]

The input file is an Alteryx database. There are various columns with slightly different names that I need to combine. For example, two columns that are different names, but mean the same: "Acctng Date" and "Acctg Date"

Can someone help with a solution or a sample workflow for this?

[binuacs]

@kmcgraw2 If the columns are in same order then use the union tool's Auto Config by position or manually configure the fields 

[KGT]

Oh.... I get what you mean... you have one file and it looks something like this:

ID	Acctng Date	Acctg Date	Other Field	Other Field2
1	Data	Null()	Ipsum Lorem	Dolor
2	Null()	Data	This is	Other Text

Create a field called something.. maybe Complete_Acctng Date

IIF(IsNull([Acctng Date]),[Acctg Date],[Acctng Date])

And then repeat for other fields you want to combine. You may need to edit that slightly.

[kmcgraw2]

Exactly! thank you. Is there a way to do this for multiple columns at a time? Or will I have to use the formula tool and edit each formula slightly?

[KGT]

You would need to define all the column names. You could definitely make it dynamic etc, but you will always need to create a list of the names that need to be combined (even if it's dynamic through fuzzy match etc, still need to get to that list).

Once you have the list, there are different options.

• Dynamically creating formulas
• Transpose, attach final name, summarize... etc
• Batch Macro to run through the list

But none of those are more efficient than just writing the formulas unless you have more than 10 or so pairs to change.