Transpose datasets

You can restructure a dataset by converting rows into columns or columns into rows. Transposing a dataset allows you to change the orientation of your data to better support analysis, visualization, or reporting needs.

When to transpose your dataset

Use Transpose to change the orientation of your dataset by converting rows into columns or columns into rows.

Transposing does not change your data values. It only changes how the data is arranged.
Note

You can include up to 4,000 rows. This limit is based on the maximum number of columns supported after transposing the data.

Use Transpose for the following cases:
  • Convert row values into column headers
  • Convert column headers into row values
  • Prepare data for reporting or charting
  • Restructure survey or time-based data
Before transpose
Month Sales
January 100
February 120
After transpose
  January February
Sales 100 120

Add a transpose operation

  1. Right-click a data source or cleanup node.
  2. Select Add Transpose. Transpose nodes are usually parented by a data source node or a cleanup node.
  3. Under Column Headers, specify the values to use for the new headers.
    Use default headers
    Creates automatic header names such as Unnamed:1.
    Use values from first column
    Uses the values in the first column as the new column headers. Use this option when the first column contains labels.
  4. Under First Column, specify the values to use for the first column of the transposed dataset.
    Use column headers
    Uses the original column names as values in the first column.
    Use values from first row
    Uses the values from the first row as the first column entries. Use this option if the first row contains labels.

Transpose tips and examples

Use the following guidelines to avoid common issues when transposing data.
  • Make sure your first row or first column does not contain duplicate values if you plan to use them as headers.
  • Clean your dataset before transposing to avoid unwanted header names.
Before transpose
Month Sales
January 100
February 120
Settings are Use default headers and Use column headers.
Unnamed: 1 Unnamed: 2 Unnamed: 3
Month January February
Sales 100 120
Settings are Use default headers and Use values from first row.
Unnamed: 1 Unnamed: 2
January February
100 120
Settings are Use values from first column and Use column headers.
Month January February
Sales 100 120
Settings are Use values from first column and Use values from first row.
January February
100 120