This article describes the RPA Excel functionality to unpivot (melt) columns from wide to long format.

For a full list of available functions, please read EXCEL functions.

Description

The Unpivot columns function converts wide-format data into long format (also known as melt or unpivot). You specify which columns to keep as identifiers – all remaining columns are "melted" into two new columns: one for the original column name (Variable) and one for the cell value (Value). The result is written to a new sheet.

Example

With ID columns: "Product"

Before (wide format)
Product	Jan	Feb	Mar
Widget	100	150	200
Gadget	80	90	110

After (long format)
Product	Variable	Value
Widget	Jan	100
Widget	Feb	150
Widget	Mar	200
Gadget	Jan	80
Gadget	Feb	90
Gadget	Mar	110

Setting it up

To use the Unpivot columns function, follow these instructions:

Once on a process map:

Navigate to the process where you would like to add the function
Click on the green button’s drop-down
Click on “+ Activity”
Select the EXCEL Unpivot columns option
Click "Add" once you are done

Input parameters

Parameter	Required	Type	Default	Description
ID columns	Yes	Textarea	-	The columns to keep as identifiers (one per line). All other columns will be unpivoted.
Variable column name	No	Text	Variable	Name for the new column containing the original column headers
Value column name	No	Text	Value	Name for the new column containing the cell values
Destination sheet	No	Text	(auto)	Name of the new sheet for the unpivoted data

Output

This function creates a new sheet with the unpivoted data. The original sheet is not modified.

Tips

This is the reverse of a pivot table – use it to normalise data for databases or reporting tools
List all columns that should stay as-is (identifiers) in the ID columns field – everything else gets melted
Common use case: converting monthly columns (Jan, Feb, Mar…) into rows with a Month column

EXCEL Unpivot columns function