# xan separate ```txt Separate a single column into multiple ones by splitting its cells according to some splitting algorithm that can be one of: * (default): splitting by a single substring * -r, --regex: splitting using a regular expression * -m, --match: decomposing into regular expression matches * -c, --capture-groups: decomposing into regular expression capture groups * --fixed-width: cutting every bytes * --widths: split by a list of consecutive widths * --cuts: cut at predefined byte offsets * --offsets: extract byte slices Created columns can be given a name using the --into flag, else they will be given generic names like "split1", "split2" and so forth. It is also possible to limit the number of splits using the --max flag. If the number of splits is known beforehand (that is to say when using --into or --max or --widths or --cuts or --offsets), the command will be able to stream the data. Else it will have to buffer the whole file into memory to record the maximum number of splits produced by the selected method. Finally, note that by default, the separated column will be removed from the output, unless the -k/--keep flag is used. Examples: Splitting a full name $ xan separate fullname ' ' data.csv $ xan separate --into first_name,last_name ' ' data.csv Splitting a full name using a regular expression $ xan separate -r fullname '\s+' data.csv Extracting digit sequences from a column named 'birthdate' using a regex: $ xan separate -r -m birthdate '\d+' data.csv Extracting year, month and day from a column named 'date' using capture groups: $ xan separate date '(\d{4})-(\d{2})-(\d{2})' data.csv -r -c --into year,month,day Splitting a column named 'code' into sequences of 3 bytes: $ xan separate code --fixed-width 3 data.csv Splitting a column named 'code' into parts of widths 2, 4 and 3: $ xan separate code --widths 2,4,3 data.csv Splitting a column named 'code' on bytes 2 and 6: $ xan separate code --cuts 2,6 data.csv Split column named 'code' into of segments defined by byte offsets [0, 2), [2, 6) and [6, 9): $ xan separate code --offsets 0,2,6,9 data.csv Usage: xan separate [options] [] xan separate --help separate mode options: -r, --regex When using --separator, split cells using a regular expression instead of a simple substring. -m, --match When using -r/--regex, extract parts of the cell matching the regex pattern. -c, --capture-groups When using -r/--regex, extract parts of the call matching the regex pattern's capture groups. --fixed-width Split cells every bytes. Each resulting part will then be trimmed of leading/trailing whitespace. --widths Split cells using the given widths (given as a comma-separated list of integers). Each resulting part will then be trimmed of leading/trailing whitespace. --cuts Split cells on the given bytes (given as a comma-separated list of increasing, non-repeating integers). Each resulting part will then be trimmed of leading/trailing whitespace. --offsets Split cells according to the specified byte offsets (given as a comma-separated list of increasing, non-repeating integers). Each resulting part will then be trimmed of leading/trailing whitespace. separate options: -M, --max Limit the number of cells splitted to at most . By default, all possible splits are made. --into Specify names for the new columns created by the splits. If not provided, new columns will be named split1, split2, etc. If used with --max, the number of names provided must be equal or lower than . --too-many Specify how to handle extra cells when the number of splitted cells exceeds --max, or the number of provided names with --into. Must be one of: - 'error': stop as soon as an inconsistent number of splits is produced. - 'drop': drop splits over expected maximum. - 'merge': append the rest of the cell to the last produced split. Note that 'merge' cannot be used with -m/--match nor -c/--capture-groups. [default: error] -k, --keep Keep the separated column after splitting, instead of discarding it. Common options: -h, --help Display this message -o, --output Write output to instead of stdout. -n, --no-headers When set, the first row will not be evaled as headers. -d, --delimiter The field delimiter for reading CSV data. Must be a single character. ```