---
title: Copy columns
description: Duplicates selected columns from input data into new columns with different names.
category: Data Transforms
tags: [copy, columns, transformation, mapping, duplicate]
---

# Copy columns

## Description

The **Copy columns** activity allows you to create duplicate versions of existing columns under new column names. This is particularly useful for preparing variations of fields for different downstream operations or storing transformed values while keeping the original untouched.

- You define the source and target column names using the **Column Map** configuration.
- The new columns will contain the same values as the original columns they are mapped from.
- You can choose whether to keep or discard the original columns using the **Include Original** option.

> **Use case**: Before applying transformations to a column like `Amount`, you can use **Copy columns** to create a backup column `Amount_Original`, preserving the initial value for comparison or audit.

## Input

- **Data** – Required

## Output

| Output Type | Format  | Description                                 |
| ----------- | ------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| **Data**    | Tabular | Returns data with new copied columns added. |

## Configuration Fields

| Field Name           | Description                                                                                                |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Column Map**       | A list of source-to-target column mappings. Each entry copies data from one column to another.             |
| **Include Original** | If enabled, the original columns are preserved in the output. Otherwise, only copied columns are included. |

## Sample Input

| Product | Price |
| ------- | ----- |
| Apple   | 120   |
| Banana  | 80    |
| Cherry  | 200   |

## Sample Configuration

<table>
  <tr><td><b>Column Map</b></td><td>Price → Cost</td></tr>
  <tr><td><b>Include Original</b></td><td>true</td></tr>
</table>

## Sample Output

| Product | Price | Cost |
| ------- | ----- | ---- |
| Apple   | 120   | 120  |
| Banana  | 80    | 80   |
| Cherry  | 200   | 200  |