How to: Cast to String Using the Convert Field Operator

In this how-to guide, you’ll learn how to set up a Convert Field operator to convert (cast) data to a string data type.

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

Configuration

For example, let's say you have a data set with account information. For data processing purposes, you want your Account Value data to be in the string data type. Doing so lets your data hold alphanumeric characters.

Configure the Data Table Component

First, let's set up your account data using a Data Table component.

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

2. In the Property ID field, enter dtAccounts.

3. In the data table, enter the following:

   #	A	B	C
   1	firstName	certification	accountValue
   2	Blair	aws solutions architect	$1000000
   3	JJ		$6789.00
   4	Jim		1000000
   5	Evan	aws developer	null
   6	Charlotte	aws security	5000000
   7	Amy	aws database	$5439294
   8	Brian	aws machine learning	$178.90
   9	Rupert	null	195.78
   10	Emily	aws networking specialty	nine hundred thousand

   

4. Click Save Component.

Configure the Data Workflow Component

Next, let's set up your Data Workflow. You'll use an Input operator to bring in your data and use a Convert Field operator with the Cast To field set to String. You'll also include two Console operators so you can see how your data looks before and after the conversion.

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

2. In the Property ID field, enter dwfConvertFieldString.

3. In the Canvas Label Text, enter dwfConvertFieldString.

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 String
   Cast To	String
   Keys	accountValue

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

4. Click Save Component.

Configure the Button Component

Now, let's add a Button component to trigger the entire operation.

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

2. In the Property ID field, enter btnConvert.

3. In the Label Text, enter Convert to String.

4. From the Action Type drop-down, select Event.

5. From the On Click drop-down, select dwfConvertFieldString.

   

6. Click Save Component.

7. Save your module.

Here's how your module looks in the Module Builder:

Preview your module in Express View and open the DevTools Console. Click the Convert to String button. You'll see your data both before and after the conversion. Notice that the number values in your Before Console data display in blue. In your After Console data, everything displays as red, indicating everything is stored as a string.