Would be nice to be able to add a new column with values from an existing column with their type changed - change type and copy
We normally will do what you're asking using a SQL transform.
If i've got my original output (call it Transform1) I'll do something like this:
After connecting to Transform1 in the SQL transform, I'll create a new transform step and add my change.
Something like
SELECT *, CAST(`employeeid` as CHAR(8)) AS 'employeeid_text'
The above would give me both my numeric `employeeid` field and a text `employeeid_text` field.
Hope this helps.
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Any chance this is possible in a Magic ETL rather than SQL / Beast mode?
I think that you have to perform three actions to accomplish this inside an ETL.
1. Select Columns - You will want to select your unique identifier and any columns that you are wanting to copy and change the type of. I would recommend changing the name of the column in this step as well.
2. Set Column Type - Change the column types to your desired data type
3. Join Data - Join the data from your "Set Column Type" step back onto your original data set.
Use String Operations to clone the column and then change its type