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Dynamic Rename Tool

The Dynamic Rename tool renames certain fields, all fields, or dynamic or unknown fields (at runtime) within an input data stream using different methods.

Use this tool when parsing text files, or if there is a pattern to the fields you want to rename such as: removing a prefix or suffix, or replacing underscores with spaces.

Often a field name will come from the first row of data or another description file that is only known at runtime.

Configuration Properties

Configuration properties change depending on the rename mode chosen. Choose the rename mode from the drop down list.

Rename modes include:

ClosedFormula: Selected fields will be renamed based on an expression built in the expression editor.
  1. To build an expression to rename selected fields, either type directly in the expression editor or double-click a variable or function to add it to the expression editor. See Expression Editor.
  2. Select the fields to be renamed by selecting the check box next to the field name or by clicking the All button.
    • Select the check box for Dynamic /Unknown fields to ensure that fields not present at configuration will be renamed at runtime if the condition is met.
    • Current Field is the individual field the formula is applied to. Each field selected from the list of fields will have the formula applied to it.
ClosedAdd Prefix/Suffix: Selected fields will be renamed by adding a specified Prefix or Suffix.

  1. From the Properties section, type the text  that will be the Prefix/Suffix for each selected field name.

  2. Use the drop down list to specify either Prefix or Suffix.

ClosedRemove Prefix/Suffix: Selected fields will be renamed by removing a specified Prefix or Suffix.
  1. From the Properties section, type the text  that will be removed from the Prefix/Suffix for each selected field name.
  2. Use the drop down list to specify either Prefix or Suffix.
ClosedTake Field Names from First Row of Data: Selected fields will be renamed by using the values that are in the first row of data.

Example: Field1, Field2, Field 3 are selected to be renamed using the first row of data:

Field 1

Field 2

Field 3

Address

City

ZIP

3825 Iris Ave Suite 150

Boulder

80301

The renamed fields and their corresponding data become:

Address

City

ZIP

3825 Iris Ave Suite 150

Boulder

80301

ClosedTake Field Names from Right Input Metadata: This option applies the table schema from the R input to the data stream of the L input. Selected fields will be renamed by taking a second input's field names and applying them to the left input's data stream, based on field position.

  1. Use the drop down list to select the preferred reporting mode if the resulting number of field names do not match. Choices include: Warn, Error or Ignore.

  2. Change field type and size optional check box, when checked will change the field type and size from the left input to match the R input.

    Note: The records from the right side input do not come through, only the field names.

ClosedTake Field Names from Right Input Rows: This option works like a lookup table, replacing L input field names for R input field names. Selected fields will be renamed by taking the right input's row data and applying them to the data stream based on row position or a field map assignment.

  1. Use the drop down list to select the preferred reporting mode if the resulting number of field names do not match. Choices include: Warn, Error or Ignore.

  2. Old Field Name from Column: Use the drop down list to select from the field list of the R input that includes the old field names, or what matches the field names from the L input.

    Alternatively the selection Use Positional Rename will re-assign field names based on their row position in relation to the field position on the left.

  3. New Field Name from Column: Use the drop down list to select from the field list of the R input that includes the new, replacement field names.

ClosedTake Field Descriptions from Right Input Metadata: This option will update the L input field descriptions with the field descriptions from the R input. Field Descriptions are updated based on the field positions of both inputs.
  1. Use the drop down list to select the preferred reporting mode if the resulting number of field names do not match. Choices include: Warn, Error or Ignore.
ClosedTake Field Descriptions from Right Input Rows: This option will take the Descriptions from the R input rows and update the L input field descriptions.
  1. Use the drop down list to select the preferred reporting mode if the resulting number of field names do not match. Choices include: Warn, Error or Ignore.

  2. Field Name from Column: Use the drop down list to select from the field list of the R input that includes the old field names, or what matches the field names from the L input.

    Alternatively the selection Use Positional Rename will re-assign field names based on their row position in relation to the field position on the left.

  3. New Description Name from Column: Use the drop down list to select from the field list of the R input that includes the new, replacement Description values.

Things to watch out for:

When using a right input for field names, be careful about the record order.  A join or similar tool can change the order of records and you wouldn't want to associate the wrong field names with the wrong fields.

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