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SOLVED

Remove Empty Columns without Select Tool

Chirag_Gandhi07
8 - Asteroid

Hi everyone,

 

How can I remove the empty columns (they are empty, not null) without having to use the select tool. I am pretty sure this can be done with transpose and cross tab tools but I am not entirely sure how. I have attached a screenshot of some data. I would like to remove the columns Title 5, Title 6, and Title 7. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

15 REPLIES 15
MarqueeCrew
20 - Arcturus
20 - Arcturus

@Chirag_Gandhi07,

 

I have published a macro to delete fields that are NULL/Empty.  It gives you the option to select/avoid any fields that you either care or don't care about.

 

https://gallery.alteryx.com/#!app/CReW-Delete-Empty-Fields/5ab9138a0462d71894a25060

 

Cheers,


Mark

Alteryx ACE & Top Community Contributor

Chaos reigns within. Repent, reflect and restart. Order shall return.
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jdunkerley79
ACE Emeritus
ACE Emeritus

Fun challenge.

 

2018-10-22_13-56-15.png

 

My approach:

- Transpose the data

- Filter out the empty or null cells

- Pick a unique set of names

- Cross tab back and repair the names back to original (using a dynamic formula)

- Use a union tool set on common subset on the original stream

 

Sample attached

kat
12 - Quasar

@MarqueeCrew - from what I read @Chirag_Gandhi07 just wanted emptys to be removed, not nulls. I had this too before and just changed the tool a tiny bit.

 

I changed the formula on the shrink to be

IIF(IsNull([_CurrentField_]),"1",IIF(IsEmpty([_CurrentField_]),null(),"1"))

It does what it should, but do you think it's the best way?

 

Great tool by the way! :)

MarqueeCrew
20 - Arcturus
20 - Arcturus

@Chirag_Gandhi07,

 

Don't be distracted from the simplicity of a CReW macro designed with you in mind by the evil @jdunkerley79.  He might be flashing a bright and shiny object your way trying to distract you in a vain attempt to gain Stars and Solution badges.  

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Alteryx ACE & Top Community Contributor

Chaos reigns within. Repent, reflect and restart. Order shall return.
Please Subscribe to my youTube channel.
jdunkerley79
ACE Emeritus
ACE Emeritus

Yep @MarqueeCrew I always want the badges. The CReW macros are always a good addition.

 

If you want to keep NULLS as @kat suggests then change the expression to:

 

!IsEmpty([Value]) OR IsNull([Value])

 

MarqueeCrew
20 - Arcturus
20 - Arcturus

@kat,

 

It looks like you might have your preferences set so that I can't mention you.  Empty/Null is good feedback.  I've updated the gallery macro.

 

Is it the best way?  There is a suggested alternative that does not transpose the data.  I think that the case where performance is needed makes the macro a challenge to understand.  So for general purposes I stand behind the macro.

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Alteryx ACE & Top Community Contributor

Chaos reigns within. Repent, reflect and restart. Order shall return.
Please Subscribe to my youTube channel.
MarqueeCrew
20 - Arcturus
20 - Arcturus

@jdunkerley79,

 

Here we go again!  Always trying to shine your "Expert" Certification knowledge in my "Advanced" direction.  I think that your reply is a trick.  The function of IsEmpty() looks for both Null and Empty conditions (e.g. [Null] or \0, and "").

 

[Privately to James:  Now we've really confused the author.  Watch!  Kat will get the solve as a protest to our hijacking his post for our amusement]

 

Cheers,

 

Mark

Alteryx ACE & Top Community Contributor

Chaos reigns within. Repent, reflect and restart. Order shall return.
Please Subscribe to my youTube channel.
kat
12 - Quasar

@MarqueeCrew I agree with the macro - just meant the way I changed it. 

 

Can't see the change in the gallery though?

kat
12 - Quasar

congratulations on the expert certification @jdunkerley79! that's amazing!

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