How to I move to column with given name - and back?

[halloleo]

In a CSV with many columns how can I jump to a column given its header name?

For example, I have a CSV file were the second column is called "type" and the 25th column is called "distance" and for a few rows I want to edit the "distance" values manually on the grounds of the "type" details and then save the CSV file back.

So when I am in a given row I need to jump between between these two columns back and forth -- what is the easiest way to do this?

[frosencrantz]

Hi @halloleo,
There are several options. I have a solution that is close to what you want, but I think I would go about it differently, and reposition the columns closer to each other so you can see them both on the screen at once.

• Use the c go-col-regex command and as input give a regex that matches the two column names ^(colname1|colname2)$. Subsequent times you hit c, you can hit Enter and it reuses the last value, and so it should jump to the other column. This does what you asked.
• Make one or both column key-col !. The key columns are anchored on the left side of the screen. This has some significance for other commands like generating a frequency sheet with multiple columns gF freq-keys, and for joins.
• Reorder the columns so they are next to each other. Use the slide- commands to reposition the columns:
  • Shift+H / slide-left : slide current column left
  • zShift+H / slide-left-n : slide current column N positions to the left
  • gShift+H / slide-leftmost : slide current column all the way to the left of sheet
  • Shift+L / slide-right : slide current column right
  • zShift+L / slide-right-n : slide current column N positions to the right
  • gShift+L / slide-rightmost : slide current column all the way to the right of sheet

[halloleo]

Much appreciated @frosencrantz! The first solution looks the best to me. 😄

Regarding the key column solution: Does making a column a key column reorder the underlying file on save? That's what I totally want to avoid!

[geekscrapy]

It won't change anything until you save it again. When you save, the columns will be in the order you see them (WYSIWYG), i.e. key columns will be first

[halloleo]

Well, that's exactly it what I want to avoid, because I have to save the edited file at the end.

BTW, I've just tried the c command -- and it is wonderful !

[frosencrantz]

@halloleo glad to hear that c command works well.

I think if you toggle off the key column before saving the file, the column order will not be changed.

[halloleo]

Ta. Will try this.