MAKEPERMANENT

The columns created by transformation functions are dynamic by nature and contain the formulas used for their definition, instead of real data. MAKEPERMANENT makes a dynamic column permanent, which means the column will be filled with data. The syntax is:

Syntax

MAKEPERMANENT [Column name]

Parameter

Column name

Defines the column name you wish to make permanent, as shown in Figure 5-43. Provide the full column definition in the following format:

[Database][Table][Column]

Note that the dynamic columns do not appear in the column’s drop-down list. You must type the column name, surrounded by square brackets.

Figure 5-43

Making a column permanent

You can validate if the column is converted to permanent in Explorer. Select the column properties and check its Derived property. The property should be Not Derived.

For example, the [SalaryRanges] column is a dynamic column, created using the INUMERIC transformation instruction. The column’s Derived property is numeric range before it is made permanent, as shown in Figure 5-44.

Figure 5-44

Dynamic column status

After the transformation the column status is changed to Not derived, as shown in Figure 5-45.

Figure 5-45

Permanent column status

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