# Cast a Table Column

### Overview

This procedure casts a specified column in a table to a given data type. It supports conversion to common data types including text, decimals, and integers. For numeric conversions, it automatically handles comma-separated values and provides options for handling blank values.

### Syntax

Below is a line-by-line overview of the automation syntax. Expand each line to learn more.

<details>

<summary><code>cast the table's "column-name" column to "data-type"</code></summary>

#### What does it do?

Converts the specified column to the target data type.

#### Where does it go?

This phrase should be written on a **new line**.

#### Is it required?

✅ Yes — This phrase is **required**.

#### Does it require data?

✅ Yes — Replace **column-name** with the name of the column to convert. Replace **data-type** with the target data type: "string" (text), "float" (decimals), or "int" (integers).

#### Example

```
cast the table's "Age" column to "float"
```

</details>

<details>

<summary><code>the blank value is x</code></summary>

#### What does it do?

Specifies a replacement value for empty cells, null values, or NaN entries when converting to numeric types (float/int). This is useful when your data contains missing values that need to be handled during conversion.

#### Where does it go?

Indented under `cast the table's "column-name" column to "data-type"`.

#### Is it required?

❌ No — This phrase is **optional**.

#### Does it require data?

✅ Yes — Replace **x** with the desired replacement value for missing data. For instance, you can use 0 for integer columns or 0.0 for decimal columns.

#### Example

```
the blank value is 0
```

</details>

### Examples

#### 1. Cast Integer Column to Float (Decimal)

```
cast the table's "Amt" column to "float"
```

#### 2. Cast Numeric Column to String (Text)

```
cast the table's "Max" column to "string"
```

#### 3. Cast Column to Integer with Blank Value

In this example, the "Price" column contains some missing or empty values. When converting to integer, these blank entries are replaced with 0.

```
cast the table's "Price" column to "int"
    the blank value is 0
```

#### 4. Cast Column to Float with Custom Blank Value

When converting a column with missing values to decimal format, a custom replacement value of 0.0 is used for empty cells.

```
cast the table's "Amount" column to "float"
    the blank value is 0.0
```