Changing type using Multi-field formula? (Or other tools)

[OF_Kimbo]

Hi all,
I am trying to change the type of the data in certain columns of my table, it the most dynamic way.

My table looks like this: (sorry I’m typing from the phone)

| Name | Cause | Date1           | Con1 | Date2          | Con2 |

| Joe     | sport   | 2020-03-12 | 15      | 2020-04-16 | 32      |

all the rows are similar. No patterns, nothing special, just records. The number of columns DateN and ConN is variable, generated through a dynamic workflow, that’s why I am looking for a dynamic solution.

Now, all the values are V_String, and I need a formula that ‘identifies’ the column (Contains should do the job) and replace/assign/edit the Type of the data in that column.

Specifically: DateN should have date format (yyyy-mm-did) and the ConN should be Double (with two decimals).

Do you have any idea how to do it with formulas? Or with any other tool?

Thank you all.

[geraldo]

@OF_Kimbo 

the auto-field tool doesn't answer your request?

Did you get to test it?

[OF_Kimbo]

Hi, thank you for your answer.

I have tried the auto field, but it only recognizes the first Date and the first Con. 
The others remain unchanged as V_String.

[RobertOdera]

Hi, @OF_Kimbo 

Kindly consider the below as a starting point - I hope you find it helpful. Cheers!

[geraldo]

@OF_Kimbo 

An attached example datatype change workflow

Here steps for changing data types

[Yoshiro_Fujimori]

Hi @OF_Kimbo ,

Have you considered using Auto Field tool?

It sounds to me that the tool is designed for your case.

Auto Field tool will convert a column with all the data in "yyyy-mm-dd" format to Date type,

and a column with all the data in Integer to Int, etc.

https://help.alteryx.com/20223/designer/auto-field-tool

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Desktop-Knowledge-Base/Tool-Mastery-Auto-Field/ta-...

If there are any exceptional data, you may need to consider other way.

[OF_Kimbo]

Hi @RobertOdera

Thank you for your answer.

I tried it and despite being an elegant solution, unfortunately, when you look at the MetaData of your output (and mine) they are still "V_String".

It seems that the formulas can't force the type to change.

[Yoshiro_Fujimori]

@OF_Kimbo 

Are you talking about my proposal to use Auto Field tool?

On my PC, the output anchor of Auto Field tool shows the data types properly converted as below. (There's no V_String type.)

Please let me know which output you are referring to.

[OF_Kimbo]

@Yoshiro_Fujimori

No, I was referring to the solution provided by RobertOdera.

I also tried your solution, but it seems that only for the first two columns it works...

[Yoshiro_Fujimori]

@OF_Kimbo 

That's interesting.

Do you check all the fields you want to change the type in Auto Field configuration?