String function - "|" not working in string functions

[Georgealex]

String function - "|" not working in string functions.

I need to replace "|'" with spaces on a strung. I am not able to use any string functions with '|'. '|' always defaults to '\'.

[Treyson]

Look into two things. Replace and Regex_replace. Both of those should take care of your problem. You seem to have a lot of regex problems. Check out Regex101.com its THE BEST tool to practice regular expressions

[G1 · Accepted solution]

Are you using RegEx to do this? 

It works for me if I just do a simple Replace([Field1], '|', ' ')

If you are using RegEx it will not work because '|' means something to RegEx; it's a special character which means 'or'. So if you are entering REGEX_Replace([Field1], '|', ' ') you are giving it a nonsensical instruction. To make RegEx recognize '|' as a non-special character you must use the escape character ('\') in front of it; REGEX_Replace([Field1], '\|', ' ')

I hope this makes sense and works for you 🙂

[Georgealex]

When I use Replace it changed to Replace([Chargeline],'/','  ') instead of Replace([Chargeline],'|',' ')

[wale_ilori]

Hi George. The | is typically Shift+/ in a standard keyboard. Could that be the issue?

[G1]

Hello George,

I have attached a test workflow for you to look at. I hope that it helps. If the simple Replace() is not working, then I would go with REGEX_Replace()

If neither of those things work for you I am out of ideas i'm afraid 😞

[Treyson · Accepted solution]

Hey @Georgealex,

I want to respond to this comment

I think that when you look at the formula it only appears to have a forward slash(?) because of the italicizing that Alteryx does. If you look at @G1's example, you can see that his notations under the tool show the pipe (|), but it looks like /

[G1]

Agreed. Except for the 'his' bit. I am a 'her'.

[Treyson]

@G1 oh snap! my bad. I real talk know a guy we call G6 and that I think is why I made that connection in my head

[G1]

You're forgiven