Add if/else column

A conditional statement is a core building block of any programming language. In Parabola, these are Add if/else column steps. The goal of each Add if/else column step is to create one column where the value of each cell in that column is dictated by the rules you create within the step.

Input/output

Our input data for this step is a table with four columns.  

Our output data, after using this Add if/else column step, has a new fourth column 'Need to place an order?' that instructs us to order the item in the 'Type' column.

Custom settings

To enter an additional criteria, click into the + and select the column you'd like to run the criteria against. You can switch between adding condition filters by clicking on 'and' and switching it to 'or'.

To add an additional rule, click on the '+ Add a rule' button.

If you'd like the step to look for a match between two columns, reference the column by placing its header in curly brackets (e.g.: '{Stock}' or '{Type}').

If you'd instead like to search for specific values, you can simply enter the exact search term, rather than a column header.

After inputting your initial search term(s), enter the desired new value under 'then set the new column value to'.

Last, save this step's settings by selecting the 'Show Updated Results' button on the bottom of the lefthand-side toolbar.

Helpful tips

• The best use of this step includes (A) column name, (B) default value if no rules match, and (C) at least one rule.
• The '+ Add Rule' button adds another if statement. How it evaluates determines which value is set in the output. If it's true, it sets it to the new value. If it's false it moves to the next rule below it. Later rules cannot overwrite values set from earlier rules.
• Technically all you need to use this step and insert a conditional column matching rules you've created are: (A) a column name and (B) a default value if no rules match. With only a default value and no rules, the step will create a column with rows filled of your chosen value.