# Questions? We have answers.

## Summary

During the _Map Columns_ step of the file import process, you can **split up a column's data into multiple columns**. Once created, these columns can be mapped to MindBridge columns, or [added for additional filtering](https://support.mindbridge.ai/hc/en-us/articles/360058269853) in the analysis results.

There are many reasons you may want to split a column, depending on the nature of the data and your specific analysis goals. Among other things, splitting a column can help you categorize, aggregate, or summarize the data at a higher level, or normalize the data so it's consistent and easier to work with. For example, a "Date and Time" column may be split into separate "Date" and "Time" columns for analysis.

Learn how to split a column within an analysis in MindBridge.

* * *

## Split a column

1. Under _Your Data Column Headers_, select the **more actions icon**(  ) to the right of the column you want to split.
2. Select **Split column**. A form window will appear and you will see sample data from the selected column.
3. Use the **Split by** menu to select how you want to split the column:
   - [**Delimiter**](https://support.mindbridge.ai/hc/en-us/articles/360056395794-Split-a-column#01G7Z13SA7X3YQXZYCPF4AQ8ZM): Separates a text value into two or more columns based on a specific character.
   - [**Position**](https://support.mindbridge.ai/hc/en-us/articles/360056395794-Split-a-column#01G7Z13SA71Q3G3VQJG6TGA35K): Allows you to highlight sections of the data within a column to split apart.
4. Depending on your selection, the following steps will change. Refer to the instructions for each section to proceed.

### Split by delimiter

**Splitting by delimiter** means that column data is separated by a special character. For example, an Account ID column formatted as "11111.11.111" can be split into three columns using the period ( . ) character as the delimiter.

1. **Delimiter** is selected by default in the _Split by_ menu.
2. Use the **Delimiter type** menu (located to the right) to select a delimiter character.
3. Optionally, if your desired delimiter does not appear in the menu, enter it with your keyboard then select **Add item**. The new columns will appear in the _Data Preview_ section along with sample data that indicates how the data will be separated.
4. Enter a **name** for each new desired column in the _Column Header_ fields.
5. Use the checkboxes (located to the right, next to **Add**) to select which columns you want to create, as not all of the created columns may be desired.
6. When you are satisfied, select **Save**. The new column(s) will appear at the bottom of your column list on the _Map Columns_ step and can be identified by the blue dot in the upper right corner of its name.

### Split by position

Splitting by position allows you to highlight sections of the data within a column to split out. This can be helpful for cases where there is no delimiter, or if you want to include the delimiter within your selection.

1. Select **Position** in the _Split by_ menu.
2. Select your desired option from the **Test value** menu. Your selection will populate the section below, allowing you to highlight one or more portions of the data.
3. Use your mouse to **highlight** the data you want to split within the _Highlight to split_ field.
4. If you want to split the column into several new columns, select **Create new split**. The test value you selected will be duplicated, and you will be able to highlight a different section of the data, as needed. New splits will appear as new columns in the _Data Preview_ section.
5. Enter a **name** for each new desired column in the _Column Header_ fields.
6. Use the checkboxes (located to the right, next to **Add**) to select which columns you want to create, as not all of the created columns may be desired.
7. When you are satisfied, select **Save**. The new column(s) will appear at the bottom of your column list on the _Map Columns_ step and can be identified by the blue dot in the upper right corner of its name.

* * *

Anything else on your mind? [Chat with us](https://login.mindbridge.ai/idp/login) or [submit a request](https://support.mindbridge.ai/hc/en-us/requests/new) for further assistance.

* * *