# Split column

The Split column step allows to split a text column into several columns, based on a delimiter.

### Step parameters

* `Split column...` **column(string)\*:** the column to plit. msut be a column containing string characters.
* `Delimiter` **string\***: a character or a string of characters that will be identified as delimiter to split the column. Can be a string of any length
* `Number of columns to keep` **int\***: the number of columns to keep after splitting the original column. Starting from the first chunk

### Example

**Input**

<figure><img src="/files/yu3BCgm8fpsNSMOQrHPO" alt=""><figcaption><p>Split column - input</p></figcaption></figure>

**Configuration**

```json
{
 "column": "email",
 "delimiter": "@"
 "number_cols_to_keep": 2
}
```

**Output**

<figure><img src="/files/fi4VgHqSM6XOuKoJY7sf" alt=""><figcaption><p>`Text - Split column output</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %} The original column remains intact while the split results are written in specific columns automatically named after the original column name (in the form `original_column_name_1`, `original_column_name_2` etc.).


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs-v3.toucantoco.com/data-management-in-datahub/datasets-in-toucan/preparing-data/overview-of-youprep-tm/text/split-column.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.