---
title: Move columns
description: Rearrange the columns of a dataset into a custom order based on user preference.
category: Data Transformation
tags: [reorder, rearrange, columns, transformation, data clean-up]
---

# Move columns

## Description

The **Move Columns** activity allows you to reorder the columns in a dataset by manually specifying their desired sequence. This is useful when the downstream activity or report requires data in a specific column order.

You can use this activity to visually drag and arrange columns or provide a mapping to generate a new column layout, without altering the data itself.

Use this activity to:

- Reorder columns for compatibility with legacy systems or APIs
- Improve readability or consistency of exported datasets
- Standardize column layouts across multiple data sources

> **Use case**:  
> A dataset generated from multiple sources may have inconsistent column orders. Use this activity to align all datasets to a standard format before inserting into a database or exporting to Excel.

## Input

| Input Type | Status   |
| ---------- | -------- |
| **Data**   | Required |

## Output

| Output Type | Format | Description                                  |
| ----------- | ------ | -------------------------------------------- |
| **Data**    | Table  | Dataset with columns rearranged as specified |

## Configuration Fields

| Field Name     | Description                                                                |
| -------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Column Map** | Drag-and-drop interface for reordering columns. Set the new desired order. |

## Sample Input

| id  | name         | lastAccess  | dob                 | graduationDate | Enrollment date new |
| --- | ------------ | ----------- | ------------------- | -------------- | ------------------- |
| 1   | Alice Brown  | 01/15/2023  | 2000-05-10T00:00:00 | 2026-05-15     | 01/15/2023          |
| 2   | Bob Green    | 15-Feb-2023 | 2002/04/12          | 2027-05-20     | 02/15/2023          |
| 3   | Charlie Blue | 01/01/2023  | 1995-06-15T00:00:00 | 2025-05-30     | 01/01/2023          |
| 4   | David Smith  | 02/20/2023  | 1998/03/10          | 2028-09-10     | 02/20/2023          |

## Sample Configuration

| Original Order                                                 | New Order                                                      |
| -------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| id, name, lastAccess, dob, graduationDate, Enrollment date new | id, dob, name, graduationDate, Enrollment date new, lastAccess |

## Sample Output

| id  | dob                 | name         | graduationDate | Enrollment date new | lastAccess  |
| --- | ------------------- | ------------ | -------------- | ------------------- | ----------- |
| 1   | 2000-05-10T00:00:00 | Alice Brown  | 2026-05-15     | 01/15/2023          | 01/15/2023  |
| 2   | 2002/04/12          | Bob Green    | 2027-05-20     | 02/15/2023          | 15-Feb-2023 |
| 3   | 1995-06-15T00:00:00 | Charlie Blue | 2025-05-30     | 01/01/2023          | 01/01/2023  |
| 4   | 1998/03/10          | David Smith  | 2028-09-10     | 02/20/2023          | 02/20/2023  |