# Text variables

If you left drag a text variable onto a cube, by default it will provide a granular breakdown of every occurring text string within that variable. Because this is potentially a very high number of possibilities the system will display a **Table Size** warning window, by default restricting the results to the **Top 1000 values** to be displayed in a **Partial Cube**.

The options to amend the number of displayed values and change to Bottom N are also available.

## Shredded text variable

Right dragging a text variable allows the text strings within that variable to be shredded into individual words in order to establish the most frequently recurring words.

In this example the Address variable is right dragged onto the vertical dimension of a blank cube.

1. Select **Add as shredded variable** and build the cube.
2. Again, the Table Size warning window is displayed
3. Amend to display just the top 100 values
4. Right click on the People column header and **Sort Descending** to view the results.

As you might expect for a UK address variable, “Road” is the most frequently occurring word. A visualisation of the results can be displayed on a Shredded [Word Cloud](<https://help.apteco.com/en/faststats/visualisation/word-cloud/index.md>).

Cube and corresponding Word Cloud displaying the results of a shredded text variable.

## Edit shredded properties

It is possible to edit the properties of the shredded text variable in various ways. To access the options, right click on the **Address (shredded) dimension** and select **Edit Shredded Properties...**:

- **Case Mapping:** Determines the case used in the Cube display
- **Minimum Word Length:** Any words of less than the set number will be filtered from the display
- **Maximum Word Length:** Any words of more than the set number will be filtered from the display
- **Pattern Match:** Allows you to filter using wildcard characters - `*` and `?`
- **Words to:** Determine and enter words to specifically **exclude** or **include** in the Cube display

### Example

To create a Word Cloud using 'whitelist' words on a shredded text dimension:

1. Manually enter (or alternatively import a predefined text file) the required words into the text box - e.g **Avenue, Crescent, Road, Street**
2. Click **OK**
3. **Build** the Cube

> [!TIP]
>
> Shredded text variables can also be used on the [Tree](<https://help.apteco.com/en/faststats/analysis/trees/#text-variables>) or [Word Cloud](<https://help.apteco.com/en/faststats/visualisation/word-cloud/#shredded-text>) tools.