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Example of Change Data Type

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An engineer accidentally types a letter into the first row of a column, but then corrects the value. However, the column is still a text column. The engineer uses Change Data Type to change the type to numeric.

  1. In the column name cell, type Data.
  2. Copy and paste, or type the following data into the Data column:
    a
    6
    8
    3
    Notice that the column number displays a -T, for example C1-T, which indicates that it is a text column.
  3. Change the letter a to the number 7.
    Notice that data type of the column is still text.
  4. Choose Data > Change Data Type.
  5. In Variables, enter Data.
  6. From Choose type, select Automatic numeric.
  7. Click OK.

Results

The column is now a numeric column.

C1-T
Data
a
6
8
3
Before
C1
Data
7
6
8
3
After
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