Select In-DB Tool

The Select In-DB tool selects, deselects, renames, and reorders fields in an In-DB workflow.

Use the Select In-DB tool to limit the amount of fields in an In-Database data stream. In many cases, limiting the amount of data passing through a workflow can significantly improve performance. Other common use cases for the Select In-DB tool include renaming and reordering columns.

In-Database enables blending and analysis against large sets of data without moving the data out of a database and can provide significant performance improvements over traditional analysis methods. For more about the In-Database tool category, see In-Database Overview.

Configure the Tool

Use the table in the Configuration window to modify the incoming data stream. Each row in the table represents a column in your data. The Field column in the table identifies the name of each column in the data and auto-sizes to fit column (field) names without cutting off any text (up to 40 characters).

Search Fields

Before you start updating your fields, you might want to limit your list so that you can perform updates on only a subset of the fields. This is also really helpful if your dataset contains many fields (columns).

To do this, use the Search box at the top of the Configuration window. Enter a keyword and the Select In-DB tool searches the Field, Rename, and Description columns to return matches. The search is not case-sensitive.

You can then perform various actions (like select, deselect, rename, etc.) on only the fields that were returned via your search. Think of the Search box as a way to filter your list of fields so that you can update only a subset of your data columns.

To view your entire list of fields again, use the "x" icon to clear out the Search box.

After you perform a search, only a subset of your data fields (columns) display. Please note that depending on what action you chose in the Options menu...

  • Some actions might apply to only fields shown.
  • Some actions might apply to all fields, regardless of which ones are shown.
  • Some actions might only apply to the specific fields that are selected (highlighted) in the list of fields.

Because of this, please use caution when you perform actions on a subset of fields and double-check the results to make sure they are what you're expecting.

Select, Deselect, Sort, and Reorder Columns

Select and Deselect Fields

To include a column in the dataset, check the check box to the left of the column name. Uncheck the check box to exclude the column. You can also use the select and deselect all check box at the top of the table to quickly select and deselect all visible fields.

Sort Columns

To sort the columns of data based on the column name...

  • Click on the column name to sort in ascending order.
  • Click on the column name a second time to sort in descending order.

Depending on the language of your Designer instance, a different default sort order might be used. Consult the User Settings to read more about the default Sort Method.

Reorder Columns

To reorder the columns of data...

  • Select to highlight a row, or select and drag to highlight multiple rows.
  • Use the Move Up or Move Down arrows, or right-click and drag, to move the rows to a new location.

The Unknown column is selected by default. It allows new columns in the data. Move the column to the location where you want a new column to be.

Rename a Column or Add a Description

  • To change the name of a column, select the Rename field and enter the new name.
  • To add a description, select the Description field and enter a description.

View More Options

After you select or highlight rows (columns of data) in the table, select the Options dropdown above the table to view more configuration options:

  • Select: Select or deselect all or highlight columns. Options include Select All and Deselect All.
  • Sort: Sort the column order in ascending or descending order. Options include Sort on Original Field Name, Sort on New Field Name, and Sort on Field Type, or Revert to Incoming Field Order. Depending on the language of your Designer instance, a different default sort order might be used. Consult the User Settings to read more about the default Sort Method.
  • Move: Move highlighted columns to the top or bottom of the list.
  • Add Prefix to Field Names: Add a prefix to the selected or highlighted column name.
  • Add Suffix to Field Names: Add a suffix to the selected or highlighted column name.
  • Remove Prefix or Suffix: Remove the prefix or suffix from the selected or highlighted column name.
  • Clear All Renames: Remove the new name for all columns.
  • Clear Highlighted Renames: Remove the new name for all highlighted columns.
  • Forget All Missing Fields: Remove all columns that are no longer included in the data.
  • Forget Highlighted Missing Fields: Remove all highlighted columns that are no longer included in the data.