# cfxdm - dm:to\_type

**dm:to\_type:** It allows to change or set the data type to string or integer (numeric) or float for specified columns. 

@param '**columns**' (mandatory, comma separated list of column names), @param '**type**' (mandatory, supported options are: str / int / float)

**dm:to\_type:** Syntax

* **columns** (mandatory)**:** Comma separated list of column names
* **type** (mandatory)**:** Supported options are: **str** (string or text) / **int** (integer or numeric) / **float**

In the below example, it sets the columns **vm\_cpu\_count** and **vm\_memory** data type as '**Integer** **(Numeric)**'

{% hint style="info" %}
**dm:recall** tag is used to retrieve the data from '**vm-inventory**' dataset and piped into **dm:to\_type** tag to change the data type.
{% endhint %}

```
tag @dm:recall
```

```
data name = 'vm-inventory' --> dm:to_type columns ='vm_cpu_count,vm_memory' & type = 'int'
```

In the below example, it sets the column **vm\_cpu\_usage\_perc** data type as '**Float**'

```
data name = 'vm-inventory-metric' --> dm:to_type columns ='vm_cpu_usage_perc' & type = 'float'
```