What is a compound column?

A compound column combines the data from other columns into a new, single column.

Why use compound columns?

Here are some examples where you might want to use these:

Get Started

If you’ve imported your data and you’re ready to apply a compound column, skip to Step 3! For help with the Separator field only, skip to Step 6!

Step 1. Get ready to import your data

Go to Dashboard -> Click Employers tab -> Click Import Company List

Step 2. Import Your Data

Click Import Data -> Select Import Type (Upload File, Import via URL or DirectConnect)

Step 3. Review your data

The image below displays the imported data under the Unmapped Columns subdivision.

In this example, we’re combining the columns labeled Product and Product 2 (in the small red box), so the data in each of these columns will appear in one compound column.

Step 4. Navigate to the Compound Columns tool

Click the vertical ellipsis next to the Import Data button -> Select Manage Compound Columns

Note: The number in parentheses indicates how many compound columns are already in use; this example, there are (0) compound columns.

When there are (0) compound columns, you see this popup window asking you to add a compound column by clicking the plus icon to continue. If compound columns already exist you will be taken to the screen in step 5.

Step 5. Create a Compound Column

The new, unnamed compound column appears in the left margin labeled (New). The rest of the screen displays the compound column details, including a required name, an optional Separator, and Available Columns with data to move into the compound column.

First, name the new compound column by typing on the word “Name” in the center of your screen.

Second, type an optional Separator and select Always Append Separator if you choose. (Step 6 has more information about Separators.)

Third, drag and drop the columns you want to combine into the new compound column from Available Columns to Included Columns.

The newly created compound column, Full Product Name, appears on the left side of the screen. The two data columns moved now display under Included Columns.

If you need to create additional compound columns, repeat these directions.

When you’ve set up all your compound columns, click Finish to save.

After you click Finish, your screen looks like this example:

The Full Product Name [C] displays on the Unmapped Columns screen. The [C] indicates that this is a compound column.

At this point, use the mapping tool, as usual, to map the new Full Product Name [C] column to your fair.

Notice in the example above that the two columns you combined into one compound column--Product and Product 2-- still show under Column Name. If you click Ignore, they will not import with your other data.

If you do not want to import the original column names and data, and only want to import the new compound column data, click the blue Ignore option to the left of the data (outlined in the above screenshot).

Also, you can check the data in the new compound column by confirming the data displayed under Sample Data <Row 1> combined correctly.

In the example above, “Cous” from the original Product column combined with “cous” from the Product 2 column to display as “Couscous” in the new compound column, Full Product Name [C].

Continue scrolling to confirm the rest of your data combined correctly, as shown below.

Step 6. Using the Separator Field

Now that you see how the data displays in the compound column, you might decide you need to separate the combined data in your compound column with a space or a dash (-). If so, use the optional Separator field, underlined in the example below.

Enter the type of Separator (e.g., blank space or a dash) into the field. For a dash, type -; for an extra space, hit the space button once. For example, if you click the spacebar one time, the data in Product and Product 2 columns will combine into individual words, as red underlines illustrate in the above screenshot.

Selecting the Always Append Separator box will add the Separator to the end of each data you are compounding. For example, in the screenshot below, our Separator is the phrase “ALWAYS APPENDING,” and we selected the Always Append Separator box. This is a useful feature if you’re combining more than two columns.

This is how the compound column appears when the Separator is the phrase “ALWAYS APPENDING,” and the Always Append Separator box is selected:

After you enter a Separator, click Finish to see the results. NOTE: If you do not enter a Separator, the combined data will appear as one string. For example, if you combine Cous and cous without a Separator, it will display as Couscous.

Step 7. Edit and Delete Compound Columns

A round of applause for creating your customized compound columns! If you need to change anything, you can easily edit (or delete) a compound column.

To edit, select the column you want to revise by checking the box to the left of the column you want to change, make the necessary changes and save.

To delete a compound column, check the box for the column you want to delete, then click the trash bin icon in the upper right corner.

Click Finish to save and view the changes.

We hope these step-by-step instructions are helpful and we’re an email away at support@careerfairsplus.com if you need further assistance!