---
title: "Sub-String"
canonical: "https://wiki.yellowfinbi.com/space/user80/1541588/Sub-String"
format: markdown
---
This transformation is used to extract part of a string from a text field. You can specify the number of characters you want to extract from the string, and which side to begin extraction from (that is, left, right, or middle).

 

## Instructions

This transformation is done directly on column fields once a step has been configured, and data is generated in the Data Transformation module. Follow these steps to perform a sub-string transformation:

1. Either click on the menu icon next to a text field’s name in the data preview panel.  
  
> Macro (inline-media-image)
  
2. Or click on the menu option next to a text field in the Configure panel, under the Fields tab.  
  
 > Macro (inline-media-image)
3. A menu will appear for the selected field.
4. Click on the Sub-String option.
  
5. When the popup appears, choose which side to begin extraction from. Options include:
  - **Left: **Extract characters starting from the left side (beginning) of the string.
  - **Right:** Extract characters starting from the right side (end) of the string and work backwards.
  - **Middle: **Extract characters starting from the specified starting position (including the character at that position) and work forwards.
  
  
6. Then specify the number of characters to extract.
7. If the *Middle* option is selected, then enter a starting position to begin extraction. (The character in that position will also be extracted.)
  
8. Click on Submit.