Hash256() returns a 256-bit hash of the combined input expression values. The result is a 43-character string. Hash256() returns a 256-bit hash value of the combined input expression values. The result is a 43-character string. Hash values are useful for masking personal identifiable information (PII), such as customer names, social security numbers, or account numbers.
Syntax:
Hash256(expr{, expression})
Return data type: string
| Argument | Description |
|---|---|
| expr | The string to evaluate. |
| Example | Result |
|---|---|
| Hash256( 'abc', 'xyz', '123' ) | Returns MA&5]6+3=:>;>G%S<U*S2I:`=X*A.IO*8N\%Y7Q;YEJ |
|
Hash256( Region, Year, Month ) Note: Region, Year, and Month are table fields. |
Returns G7*=6GKPJ(Z+)^KM?<$'AI.)?U$#X2RB[:0ZP=+Z`F: |
Example - Hash256 fundamentals
Overview
Open the Data load editor and add the load script below to a new tab.
The load script contains:
-
A dataset which is loaded into a data table called Example.
-
The following fields which will be used to create a 256-bit hash value:
-
Region
-
Year
-
Month
-
Load script
Example:
Load *
inline [
Region, Year, Month
abc, xyz, 123
EU, 2022, 01
UK, 2022, 02
US, 2022, 02
];Results
Load the data and open a sheet. Create a new table and add these fields as dimensions:
-
Region
-
Year
-
Month
Create the following calculated dimension:
-
=Hash256(Region, Year, Month), to calculate the 256-bit hash value.
| Region | Year | Month | Hash256(Region, Year, Month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| abc | xyz | 123 | MA&5]6+3=:>;>G%S<U*S2I:`=X*A.IO*8N\%Y7Q;YEJ |
| EU | 2022 | 01 | B40^K&[T@!;VB'XR]<5=//_F853?BE6'G&,YH*T'MF) |
| UK | 2022 | 02 | O5T;+1?[B&"F&1//MA[MN!T"FWZT=4\#V`M%6_\0C>4 |
| US | 2022 | 02 | C6@#]4#_G-(]J7EQY#KRW`@KF+W-0]`[Z8R+#'")=+0 |
For each row, the hash strings for Region, Year, and Month are joined together, and a 43-character string is returned.
The following code shows how to use the function in a load script.
Hash_256:
Load *,
Hash256(Region, Year, Month) as Hash256_Region_Year_Month;
Load * inline [
Region, Year, Month
abc, xyz, 123
EU, 2022, 01
UK, 2022, 02
US, 2022, 02 ];| Region | Year | Month | Hash256_Region_Year_Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| abc | xyz | 123 | MA&5]6+3=:>;>G%S<U*S2I:`=X*A.IO*8N\%Y7Q;YEJ |
| EU | 2022 | 01 | B40^K&[T@!;VB'XR]<5=//_F853?BE6'G&,YH*T'MF) |
| UK | 2022 | 02 | O5T;+1?[B&"F&1//MA[MN!T"FWZT=4\#V`M%6_\0C>4 |
| US | 2022 | 02 | C6@#]4#_G-(]J7EQY#KRW`@KF+W-0]`[Z8R+#'")=+0 |
Example - Hash256 scenario with duplicate entries
Overview
This example creates a unique hash value for each product entry. The hash value serves as a unique identifier, allowing the company to detect and manage duplicates effectively.
Open the Data load editor and add the load script below to a new tab.
The load script contains:
-
A dataset which is loaded into a data table called Example.
-
The following fields in the data table:
-
TransactionID
-
ProductID
-
ProductName
-
SupplierID
-
Load script
Example:
Load *
inline [
TransactionID, ProductID, ProductName, SupplierID
1, 101, Widget A, S001, 100
2, 102, Widget B, S002, 200
3, 101, Widget A, S001, 50
];Results
Load the data and open a sheet. Create a new table and add these fields as dimensions:
-
Transaction ID
-
ProductID
-
ProductName
-
SupplierID
Create the following calculated dimension:
-
=Hash256(ProductID, ProductName, SupplierID) to calculate a 43-character key.
| TransactionID | ProductID | ProductName | SupplierID | Hash256(ProductID, ProductName, SupplierID) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 101 | Widget A | S001 | CY`&^(N,E/#`TJT4&]/7N1Q+*T3K=35VDVQ>>;%+A0] |
| 2 | 102 | Widget B | S002 | O7(1;V1%MG;Z+A[/H)G5&`6RA0(`%6T?YZQ.+>*&\JF |
| 3 | 101 | Widget A | S001 | CY`&^(N,E/#`TJT4&]/7N1Q+*T3K=35VDVQ>>;%+A0] |
Compare the output of the Hash256 function. Notice that the first and third TransactionID records have duplicate hash values because the combination of the ProductID, ProductName, and SupplierID strings are the same for these rows.
Example - Hash256 scenario to anonymize data
Overview
A financial services company handles sensitive customer information, such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and customer names. To protect privacy and ensure compliance with regulations such as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), they need to anonymize sensitive data when generating reports for analysis. However, they also need to maintain consistency, so that they can track the same customer across different datasets without revealing the customer's identity.
Open the Data load editor and add the load script below to a new tab.
The load script contains:
-
A dataset which is loaded into a data table called Example.
-
The following fields in the data table:
-
CustomerID
-
CustomerName
-
SSN
-
Load script
Example:
Load *
inline [
CustomerID, CustomerName, SSN
101, John Doe, 123-45-6789|
102, Jane Smith, 987-65-4321
];Results
Load the data and open a sheet. Create a new table and add these fields as dimensions:
-
CustomerID
-
CustomerName
-
SSN
Create the following calculated dimensions:
-
=Hash256(CustomerName)
-
=Hash256(SSN)
| CustomerID | CustomerName | SSN | Hash256(CustomerName) | Hash256(SSN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101 | John Doe | 123-45-6789| | GMD(*B9*!PQ&MTY2@$4A\KCL?[0@T%D@8C#6&UR8/95 | N&[PSH:I$M?OF<5/9LV&N*;`CZ((X'"9Y2FKJC6W04[ |
| 102 | Jane Smith | 987-65-4321 | EP@9]GSI)5G\I*,B?H,C?A$%VG:SL#6I>Q1:L<0O7UW | HCFXMR'2=\3WF6?_\6LN;.*6:K?Y:%MZ#*PP]WI`YS< |
Data Privacy: The original sensitive data is not directly visible, but the hash value remains consistent across different records. This allows for analysis, such as aggregating customer activity, without exposing the actual identity of the customer.
Compliance: By hashing sensitive fields, the company ensures compliance with data privacy regulations.
Security: The hash function produces a fixed-size output that is not reversible, adding an extra layer of protection for sensitive data.