Convert Field Operator

The Convert Field operator lets you change the data type of values stored in specific fields of a data set. You can convert these values into numbers, integers, or strings.

The operator only works on fields in objects. If you pass an entire object, the returned result is [object, object].

Before understanding the operator in detail, here's an overview of these three data types:

• Number: This data type represents numerical values, including decimals. If the original value contains non-numeric characters, the result displays as NaN (Not a Number). To avoid lost data, ensure your original data excludes non-numerical characters.

• Integer: This data type represents numerical values, but it does not allow decimals. If the original value contains non-numeric characters, the result defaults to 0. Use integers when you need clean, whole-number results.

• String: This data type represents text, but can include numbers, letters, symbols, and spaces. You'll sometimes see strings referred to as text that can be as short as a few letters or contain entire paragraphs.

The Unqork Designer Platform handles each data type differently. At times, you'll need to convert the data collected in a field from one type to another. The Convert Field operator lets you convert entire columns of a data table or fields into an array simultaneously.

You’ll find the Convert Field operator under the Table group to the left of the Data Workflow canvas.

Similar Data Workflow Operators

The Convert Field operator is similar to the Convert Value operator.

• Convert Value operator: Converts a single value passed to it. This operator is best used when you're only working with a single key/value pair of data.

About the Info Window

Here's a breakdown of each setting in the Info window:

Adding a Convert Field Operator

In this example, you'll configure a Data Table component to store  the account information as a string data type.  Then, you'll configure a Data Workflow that converts your Account Value column into a number data type.

These instructions assume you have a new module open and saved with a title.

Configure the Data Table Component

1. In the Module Builder, drag and drop a Data Table component onto your canvas.

2. In the Property ID and Canvas Label Text fields, enter dtAccounts.

3. To the left of the component's configuration window, click Data.

4. In the data table, enter the following:

   A	B	C
   firstName	certification	accountValue
   Blair	aws solutions architect	$1000000
   JJ		$6789.00
   Jim		1000000
   Evan	aws developer	null
   Charlotte	aws security	5000000
   Amy	aws database	$5439294
   Brian	aws machine learning	$178.90
   Rupert	null	195.78
   Emily	aws networking specialty	nine hundred thousand

5. Click Save & Close.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Next,  configure a Data Workflow component to convert the accountValue column into a number data type. First,  use an Input operator to bring in the data. Then,  use a Convert Field operator with the Cast To field set to Number. Later, you'll include two Console operators so you can view what your data looks like before and after the conversion.

1. Drag and drop a Data Workflow onto your canvas, placing it below the Data Table component.

2. In the Canvas Label Text and Property ID fields, enter dwfConvertFieldNumber.

Configure the Input Operator

1. Drag and drop an Input operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Input
   Component	dtAccounts
   Required	Yes
   Source	Default

Configure the First Console Operator

1. Drag and drop a Console operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Console
   Label	Before

3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtAccounts Input operator to the input port (left) of the Before Console operator.

Configure the Convert Field Operator

1. Drag and drop a Convert Field operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Convert To
   Label	Convert accountValue to Number
   Cast To	Number
   Keys	accountValue

3. Connect the output port (right) of the dtAccounts Input operator to the input port (left) of the Convert accountValue to Number Convert Field operator.

Configure the Second Console Operator

1. Drag and drop another Console operator onto your Data Workflow canvas.

2. Configure the operator's Info window as follows:

   Setting	Value
   Category	Console
   Label	After

3. Connect the output port (right) of the Convert accountValue to Number Convert Field operator to the input port (left) of the After Console operator.

4. Click Save.

Here's how the completed Data Workflow looks:

Configure the Button Component

Lastly, add a Button component to trigger the Data Workflow and convert the data type of accountValue column.

1. Drag and drop a Button component onto your canvas, placing it between your Data Table and Data Workflow components.

2. In the Property ID field, enter btnConvert.

3. In the Label Text field, enter Convert to Number.

4. To the left of the component's configuration window, click Actions.

5. Set the Action Type as Event.

6. From the On Click drop-down, select dwfConvertFieldNumber.

   

7. Click Save & Close.

8. Save your module.

Below is the completed configuration in the Module Builder:

Preview your module in Express View and open the DevTools Console. Click the button and run the Angular command. Now, expand the data in your Before Console operator, and you'll see the data as you entered it into your Data Table component. Expand the data in your After Console operator, and you'll see that your account values have been converted to numbers. Remember, NaN means Not a Number, and you'll see this anywhere your original data included non-numeric characters.