---
title: How to combine columns
category: Preparation
slug: combining-columns
blurb: Learn how to combine multiple columns into a single variable when survey exports split data across columns.
order: 3
---
# How to combine columns

Sometimes survey exports split a single variable across multiple raw columns. For example, a multi-select question such as "Which colors do you like?" might export into three separate columns: **Red**, **Yellow**, **Green**. Each row then shows values like `1 | 0 | 1` or `Red |  | Green`.  

In these cases, you can use **Combine Columns** to merge them back into one variable. This is especially useful for [multi-select questions](../data-types/multi-select) that have been split across multiple columns.  

![Combining columns](https://player.mux.com/e3RfKVopRNWBOvEGbxcx3u9i1J702tWGVOfyhYqhp68g)

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### Where to find it

Open [Manage Column(s)](manage-columns). The interface has three parts:  
- On the **left**, a searchable list of all raw columns  
- On the **right**, a details pane showing the selected column (or combined/grouped column)  
- At the **bottom right**, a **Save** button to confirm changes  

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### How to combine

1. In the list of columns (left panel), click the first column you want to include.  
2. Hold **Shift** and select additional columns. You can also select a continuous range this way.  
3. The right-hand details pane will update with a new screen and a **Combine Columns** button.  
   - If the columns cannot be combined, an error message will explain why.  

![Column selection with Combine Columns option](../../images/combine-columns-overview@2x.png)  

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### Confirming values

- If each column contains a single value (e.g. "Red", "Yellow", "Green"), AddMaple will combine them immediately.  
- This also includes CATA-style exports where each selected column mostly contains blanks, and the only non-empty value per column is that column’s label (e.g. one column per option). In these cases, AddMaple combines without prompting.
- If columns contain two values (e.g. "checked/unchecked", `1/0`, "Yes/No"), you'll be asked to confirm which value should be treated as **positive** and which as **negative**.  

![Confirming the positive value when combining](../../images/combine-columns-positive-negative@2x.png)  

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### After combining

- You'll see a new **Combined Column details view** in the right pane. It looks like a standard column view, but at the bottom it shows the source columns that were merged.  
- In the column list (left panel), the raw columns will collapse into a single combined column. A **chevron** indicates you can expand to see the underlying source columns.  

![Combined column example](../../images/combine-columns-results@2x.png)  

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### Saving and editing

- Click **Save** in the bottom right for your changes to take effect.  
- Columns that are not compatible cannot be combined — the option will be blocked.  

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### Separating columns

Separating is not only for undoing a manual combine. Sometimes AddMaple will automatically combine raw columns when it detects a multi-select or single-select question spread across multiple columns. If you prefer to work with those columns individually, you can separate them.  

To separate:  

1. Open the combined column in the details pane.  
2. Click the **Separate** button in the top right.  
3. The combined variable will be removed, and the raw source columns will reappear as individual variables in the column list.  

You can combine them again later if needed.  

![Separating combined columns](../../images/combined-column-separate@2x.png)  

**Example:**  

A survey platform may export Q10a, Q10b, Q10c as separate columns for a grid of product features. AddMaple might automatically combine these into one multi-select question. If you prefer to analyze each feature separately, use **Separate** to break them back into individual variables.  

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### Example

A survey export contains three columns: **Red**, **Yellow**, **Green**. Each row has either `1` or `0` in each column.  
- Select the three columns and click **Combine Columns**.  
- Confirm that `1` is **positive** and `0` is **negative**.  
- The result is one multi-select variable called "Colors liked," which behaves consistently in charts and exports.  

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### Key points

- Combining is useful for reconstructing single variables split across multiple columns.  
- Separating lets you break apart either manual or automatic combines.  
- The raw data is never modified.  
- All changes apply across your project, including exports.  

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