create a new column if not exists in the input file

[AKPWZ]

Hi everyone, 

I want to check a field, let's say "Age," to see if it already exists in the input file/select tool, and if not, I want to create a new field/column with the same name and add "0" or "Null" to it.

Can someone please help on this. Thank you!

Note:

Sometimes the required column is missing from the input data, so I want to create it only when it's not present, and then add either "0" or "Null" as the default value.

[PhilipMannering · Accepted solution]

You could Union your data with a Text Input that has Age as a column. If the column does not exist it will be created, otherwise the Age will remain the same. See example attached,

[AKPWZ]

HI @PhilipMannering thank you for the very quick response.
just wanted to add/ask one thing, that sometimes the required column is missing from the input data, so I want to create it only when it's not present, and then add either "0" or "Null" as the default value.
So in this conditions also your solution will work?

[PhilipMannering · Accepted solution]

It should, yes. Try adding Age to the Text Input and testing it yourself!

[NikiJF]

@PhilipMannering Love this!! Such a simple solution - thank you for sharing it, it gave me a quick win this morning :-)