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Understanding Japanese Character Conversion

The Japanese character conversion function lets you convert specific fields in your map between full-width and half-width Katakana and Hiragana Japanese character sets. Specifically, characters that match the selected Convert from character set will be converted to the selected Convert to character set.

Considerations

  • This function transliterates individual characters between different character sets. It does not translate entire words between different languages.
  • Only character-type input values are supported. Number and Date/Time types are not supported and will generate an error.
  • The Kanji alphabet is not supported.

Configuration options:

In the configuration dialog below, Convert from refers to the Japanese character set that describes the characters in the input to convert from. When converting from, selecting Any will convert any Katakana or Hiragana characters.

Convert to refers to the Japanese character set to which the parsed input characters are converted to. Depending on your selection in the Convert from field, this will convert any character into the character set you chose to be converted.

Full-width and half-width refer to the pixel width of the character itself. A set of full-width characters will be longer in length than their half-width counterparts. When converting from Any, if the input includes alphanumeric characters, those characters may be affected as well.

The Convert from options are:

  • Any
  • Full-Width Hiragana
  • Katakana

The Convert to options are:

  • Full-Width Katakana
  • Half-Width Katakana
  • Full-Width Hiragana

Configure defaults:

After selecting the desired Convert from and Convert to options, the Configure Defaults dialog shows where you can provide a default value.

Usage examples

When parsing the input value, only characters matching the selected Convert from character will be converted. Characters not matching the Convert from set will pass through unchanged. Matching characters are converted to the selected Convert to character set. The Convert to character set will determine both the Katakana/Hiragana alphabet AND full/half width of the matching characters. This has important considerations when the input value contains a combination of Japanese, alphanumeric, and half/full width characters.

Input (string to convert)Convert fromConvert toOutput (result)
Mix of alphanumeric and Katakana full-width: １ー２ー３ヤママチチョウAnyFull-width HiraganaMix of alphanumeric and Katakana full-width converted to Hiragana: １ー２ー３やままちちょう
Mix of alphanumeric and Katakana half-width: 1-2-3ﾔﾏﾏﾁﾁｮｳAnyFull-width KatakanaMix of alphanumeric and Katakana half-width converted to Katakana full-width: １ー２ー３ヤママチチョウ
Mix of alphanumeric and Hiragana: １ー２ー３やままちちょうAnyHalf-width KatakanaMix of alphanumeric and Hiragana converted to half-width Katakana: 1-2-3ﾔﾏﾏﾁﾁｮｳ
Mix of alphanumeric and English: $i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh is a good passwordAnyFull-width HiraganaMix of alphanumeric and English, not converted: $i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh is a good password
Mix of alphanumeric and English: $i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh is a good passwordAnyFull-width or half-width KatakanaMix of alphanumeric and English not converted: $i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh is a good password
Mix of alphanumeric and Katakana full-width:「$i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh」はいいパースワードですKatakanaFull-width HiraganaKatakana converted to Hiragana. Alphanumeric NOT converted to full-width:「$i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh」はいいぱーすわーどです
Mix of alphanumeric and Hiragana:「$i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh」はいいぱーすわーどですHiraganaFull-width KatakanaHiragana converted to Katakana. Alphanumeric NOT converted to full-width:「$i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh」はいいパースワードです
Mix of alphanumeric and Katakana full-width:「$i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh」はいいパースワードですKatakanaHalf-width KatakanaKatakana converted to half-width. Alphanumeric NOT converted to half-width:｢$i3dk&A2^3N7Qzh｣はいいﾊﾟｰｽﾜｰﾄﾞです
Katakana full-width: オツカレサマデスKatakanaFull-width HiraganaFull-width Katakana converted to Hiragana: おつかれさまです
Katakana, half-width: ｵﾂｶﾚｻﾏﾃﾞｽKatakanaFull-width KatakanaHalf-width Katakana converted to full-width Katakana: オツカレサマデス
Katakana, full-width: オツカレサマデスKatakanaHalf-width KatakanaFull-width Katakana converted to half-width Katakana: ｵﾂｶﾚｻﾏﾃﾞｽ
Hiragana, full-width: おつかれさまですFull-width HiraganaFull-width KatakanaFull-width Hiragana converted to full-width Katakana: オツカレサマデス
Hiragana, full-width: おつかれさまですFull-width HiraganaHalf-width KatakanaFull-width Hiragana converted to half-width Katakana: ｵﾂｶﾚｻﾏﾃﾞｽ