Column Manager
Rename, reorder, remove, split, merge, duplicate, and add columns in one pass.
By Operelio team
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What it does
Column Manager gives you full control over your file's columns in a single job. Rename headers to match your CRM schema, drag columns into the order you need, and uncheck the ones you want to drop. On Pro, you can also split one column into many, merge several into one, duplicate a column to keep the original, or add a new column filled with a fixed value, by your own rules, or a value worked out from another column.
Every change is previewed live before you run the job. Row data is never altered; only the column layout changes.
Rename, reorder, and remove
These three operations are free on every plan. After uploading, you see every column in a list. Click a name to rename it, drag the handle to reorder, or uncheck the box to drop the column from the output. At least one column must remain.
None of these operations touch the values in your rows; they only change the shape of the output file.
Split, merge, duplicate, and add (Pro)
Operations run before the rename, reorder, and remove step, so you can split a column and then rename the resulting parts in the same job.
| Operation | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Split | Splits a column into multiple columns by a delimiter. | Split "full_name" by space into "first_name" and "last_name". |
| Merge | Combines two or more columns into one with a separator. | Merge "city" + "state" + "zip" into "full_address" with ", " separator. |
| Duplicate | Creates a copy of a column under a new name. | Duplicate "email" as "email_backup". |
| Add | Adds a new column filled with a fixed value, by your own rules, or a value worked out from another column. | Add "Seniority" worked out from "job_title", or "Segment" set to "Enterprise" where employees are over 1,000, otherwise "SMB". |
How to use it
Upload your file
Drag and drop any .csv, .xlsx, or .xls file. Operelio reads every column and shows them in a list.
Add operations (optional)
On Pro, click the scissors icon on a row to split that column, the copy icon to duplicate it, the Merge columns button to combine columns, or the Add column button to add a new one. Each opens a panel with its own settings.
Rename and reorder
Click any column name to rename it. Drag the handle on the left to reorder. Uncheck the box to drop a column from the output.
Apply changes
Click Apply changes. The results page opens with a summary, and your file is ready to download.
How column split works
Pick a delimiter: comma, space, pipe, tab, or any custom character you type. Operelio scans every row to find the largest number of parts, then creates that many new columns. If you know the count up front (for example, splitting a full name into exactly two parts), set a fixed max.
The new columns are named for you. Splitting "address" creates "address_1", "address_2", "address_3", and so on. You can rename any of them in the same job.
By default, the source column is replaced by the new columns. Toggle "keep original" on if you want the original column to stay and the new columns added beside it.
| Before: full_name | After (split by space): first · last |
|---|---|
| Jane Smith | Jane · Smith |
| Alex Ruiz | Alex · Ruiz |
| Priya Patel | Priya · Patel |
How column merge works
Select two or more columns and a separator (space, comma, comma-space, dash, underscore, or none). Operelio joins the values and outputs a single new column. You choose the output column name.
By default, the source columns are removed from the output. Toggle "keep originals" on if you want them to stay alongside the merged result.
| Before: city · state · zip | After (merge with ", "): full_address |
|---|---|
| Austin · TX · 78701 | Austin, TX, 78701 |
| Miami · FL · 33101 | Miami, FL, 33101 |
What the results show
The results page summarizes what changed so you can confirm the output matches what you expected:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Original column count | How many columns the input file had. |
| Output column count | How many columns the output file has after all operations. |
| Columns removed | How many were unchecked and dropped. |
| Columns renamed | How many got a new name. |
| Columns reordered | Whether the output order differs from the input. |
| Operations applied | Each split, merge, or duplicate that ran, with the source and output column names. |
| Final column order | The list of column names in the output, left to right. |
Frequently asked questions
Does this change my row data or just the column layout?
Only the column layout changes. Rename changes the header, reorder changes the position, and remove drops the column entirely, but every remaining cell value is preserved exactly as it was. Split copies values into new columns, merge concatenates them, and duplicate copies them into a second column. No values are altered in place.
Can I split a full name column into first and last name?
Yes. Add a split operation, pick the column, and set the delimiter to space. Operelio creates two new columns (one per part). You can rename them to "First Name" and "Last Name" in the same job.
Can I merge two columns into one?
Yes, on Pro. Add a merge operation, pick the columns, and choose a separator (space, comma, comma-space, dash, or none). Name the output column. By default the source columns are removed; toggle "keep originals" to keep them.
Can I duplicate a column to keep a backup?
Yes, on Pro. Add a duplicate operation, pick the column, and give the copy a new name (for example "email" → "email_backup"). Both columns appear in the output.
Can I run multiple changes in one job?
Yes. Operations run first (split, merge, duplicate), then the rename/reorder/remove step runs on the full set of columns: original and generated. Everything is a single job with one download at the end.
What file formats does it support?
Upload .csv, .xlsx, or .xls. You can set the output format to CSV or Excel before running the job.
What plan do I need?
Rename, reorder, and remove are free on every plan. Split, merge, and duplicate require Pro ($39/month), Team ($99/month), or Agency ($299/month). Row limits apply: up to 2,000 on Free, 50,000 on Pro, 75,000 on Team, and 150,000 on Agency.
Ready to get started?
Upload a file and run your first transformation. Free, no credit card required.