Replace data filter
The Replace data filter allows you to replace a string or regular expression either throughout your dataset or in specific columns and rows.
If you need to make a lot of replacements, it may make sense to use the Replace data (mapping table) filter instead, so that you have an external Replacement map.
Text or pattern to replace: (required) the text to replace (e.g. "Salud"). The text must match the entire cell, except that character case and whitespace are not significant.
Use a regular-expression pattern: if checked, then the HXL Proxy will interpret _Text or pattern to replace" as a regular expression rather than plain text.
New text: (required) the new text to substitute for the replacement pattern. If using regular expressions, this text may contain sequences like "\1" to include groups from the regular-expression pattern.
Replace only in these columns: a list of tag patterns controlling the columns where the HXL Proxy will replace text (if omitted, replace in all tagged columns).
Replace only in rows matching this query: a row query controlling the rows where the HXL Proxy will replace text (if omitted, replace in all rows).
Replace "Coast" with "Coastal Region" in the column matching the tag pattern "#adm1+name".
| #org | #sector | #adm1+name | #adm1+code | #targeted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNICEF | Education | Coast | X001 | 5000 |
| Save the Children | Education | Plains | X002 | 300 |
| IOM | CCCM | Coast | X001 | 1500 |
| UNICEF | Protection | Plains | X002 | 8000 |
| #org | #sector | #adm1+name | #adm1+code | #targeted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNICEF | Education | Coastal Region | X001 | 5000 |
| Save the Children | Education | Plains | X002 | 300 |
| IOM | CCCM | Coastal Region | X001 | 1500 |
| UNICEF | Protection | Plains | X002 | 8000 |
This filter is especially useful for correcting predictable errors on the fly. For example, if some of your data providers use "WHO" and some use "World Health Organization", you can replace one with the other to make the dataset consistent (and repeat that correction automatically whenever the data is updated).
Not also the benefit of this filter for dealing with different types of transliterations and language conventions, e.g. "Tchad" vs "Chad", or "Taiz" vs "Ta'izz" for the city of "تعز" in Yemen.