Data Type Conversion Transformations: Convert Column Types

In Salesforce Data Pipelines, the data type of a dataset column determines how you can query that column’s data. For example, you can filter and group by a text or date column, or perform calculations on a number column. When you load data into a dataset, CRM Analytics sometimes tags a dataset field with the wrong type. If needed, use the column-type conversion transformations in a Data Prep recipe to convert columns to the correct types.

• Text to Date Transformation: Convert the Column Type
  When you load data into a dataset, Salesforce Data Pipelines tags a date column as a text if it contains unexpected string values or dates in different formats. To use date functionality, such as grouping by month, use the Text To Date transformation to change the Text column type to Date.
• Text to Number Transformation: Convert the Column Type
  When you load data into a dataset, Salesforce Data Pipelines tags a number column as text if it contains unexpected strings or characters. To perform a calculation on the column, such as calculating the average, use the Text To Number transformation to change the Text column type to Number. You can perform calculations on number columns only.
• Number to Text Transformation: Convert the Column Type
  When you load data into a dataset, Salesforce Data Pipelines tags a text column as a number column if it contains only numbers. For example, Salesforce Data Pipelines tags a numerical Room Number column as the number type, even though it’s text that identifies rooms. To group and filter by a number column, use the Number To Text transformation to change a Number column type to Text. You can group and filter by text columns only.