View or Change Column Information

Information about a column is not limited to the data in the column. Data type, modeling type, format, and formulas can also be set.

To view or change column characteristics, double-click the column heading. Or, right-click the column heading and select Column Info. The Column Info window appears.

Figure 3.11 Column Info Window  

Column Name

Enter or change the column name. No two columns can have the same column name.

Data Type

Select one of the following data types:

Numeric

Specifies the column values as numbers.

Character

Specifies the column values as non-numeric, such as letters or symbols.

Row State

Specifies the column values as row states. This is an advanced topic. See Row State Columns in Using JMP.

Modeling Type

Modeling types define how values are used in analyses. Select one of the following modeling types:

Continuous

Numeric only

Ordinal

Either numeric or character, and are ordered categories

Nominal

Either numeric or character, but not ordered

Format

Select a format for numeric values. This option is not available for character data. Here are a few of the most common formats:

Best

Lets JMP choose the best display format.

Fixed Dec

Specifies the number of decimal places that appear.

Date

Specifies the syntax for date values.

Time

Specifies the syntax for time values.

Currency

Specifies the type of currency and decimal points that are used for currency values.

Column Properties

Set special column properties such as formulas, notes, and value orders. See The Column Info Window in Using JMP.

Lock

Lock a column, so that the values in the column cannot be changed.