Convert column to

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About

Converts the data type of a column from one type to another. The following grid shows which conversions are possible without loss of data.

  To
Number Code list Text Date Time
From
 Number - ✅ ✅ ❓ ❓
Code list ✅ - ✅ ❓ ❓
Text ❓ ✅ - ❓ ❓
Date ✅ ✅ ✅ - ❌
Time ✅ ✅ ✅ ❌ -
Key:
✅ - Conversion possible without loss of data
❓ - Conversion possible in some situations but not others
❌ - Conversion would result in no data


Details

From
To
What happens
Number
Code list
  • The number is maintained and standardised labels are generated
  • ✅ - Conversion is possible without data loss
Number
Text
  • Numbers are converted to their text equivalent
  • ✅ - Conversion is possible without data loss
Number
Date
  • Numbers are converted to dates using the Microsoft Excel conversion formula
  • ❗ the fractional part of the number is lost
Number
Time
  • Numbers are treated as decimal times. For example 10.5 would result in 10:30.
  • ❗ Numbers over 24 are set to missing
  • ❗ Some precision will be lost, as there are only 60 minutes in an hour
Code list
Number
  • The code of the Code list is retained as value for the number
  • ❗ the label part of the Code list is lost
Code list
Text
  • The label if the Code list is retained as the text
  • ❗ the code part of the Code list is lost
Code list
Date
  • An attempt is made to parse the label as a date, using the system defined date format.
  • The code is treated as a Microsoft Date number.
  • ❗ the fractional part of the number is lost
Code list
Time
  • An attempt is made to parse the label as a time, using the system defined time format.
  • Numbers are treated as decimal times. For example 10.5 would result in 10:30.
  • ❗ Numbers over 24 are set to missing
  • ❗ Some precision will be lost, as there are only 60 minutes in an hour
Text
Number
  • The value is read form the start of the text.
  • ❗ anything after the first non-numeric character is discarded
  • ❗ Text that does not start with a number is set to missing
Text
Code list
  • The text becomes the label of the Code list
  • Codes are generated in the order that new text values are discovered, starting with 1 and incrementing
  • ✅ - Conversion is possible without data loss
Text
Date
  • An attempt is made to parse the text as a date, using the system defined date format.
  • The text value is read form the start of the text and treated as a Microsoft Date number.
  • ❗ anything after the first non-numeric character is discarded
  • ❗ Text that does not start with a number is set to missing
Text
Time
  • An attempt is made to parse the text as a time, using the system defined time format.
  • The text value is read form the start of the text and treated as a digital time, e.g. 10.5 becomes 10:30.
  • ❗ anything after the first non-numeric character is discarded
  • ❗ Text that does not start with a number is set to missing
Date
Number
  • Dates are converted to Microsoft Excel date numbers
  • ✅ - Conversion is possible without data loss
Date
Code list
  • The date is used as the label of the Code list
  • Codes are generated in the order that new date values are discovered, starting with 1 and incrementing
  • ✅ - Conversion is possible without data loss
Date
Text
  • The date is converted to it's text representation
  • ✅ - Conversion is possible without data loss
Date
Time
  • ❌ - Conversion is not possible without full data loss
Time
Number
  • The code of the Code list is retained as the number
  • ✅ - Conversion is possible without data loss
Time
Code list
  • The time is used as the label of the Code list
  • Codes are generated in the order that new time values are discovered, starting with 1 and incrementing
  • ✅ - Conversion is possible without data loss
Time
Text
  • The time is converted to it's text representation
  • ✅ - Conversion is possible without data loss
Time
Date
  • ❌ - Conversion is not possible without full data loss