---
title: "MakeContinuousKey"
slug: "makecontinuouskey"
updated: 2022-02-10T19:33:47Z
published: 2022-02-10T19:33:47Z
canonical: "docs.datajet.app/makecontinuouskey"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.datajet.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MakeContinuousKey

## General: MakeContinuousKey

## Produces a new continuous integer field from a discrete field of any data type

## Purpose

Use this function to:

- Create a continuous field from a discrete field so that it can be used to join with a continuous field from another table.

## Return Value

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| **FieldType** | Integer |
| **FieldSize** | Continuous |
| **DataType** | Continuous |
| **DataSize** | Integer |

```shell
Example Return Value: 1.....N  where N = number of discrete values in the source field
```

![](https://cdn.document360.io/73b6469b-c1e4-47e9-aa65-986c8ebd17ca/Images/Documentation/Gen_MakeContKey_Sample%5D.PNG)

## Parameters

| Parameter | JSON | Description |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Table** | “targetTable”: “MyTableName” | The target table on which the new field will be created |
| **Filter** | “dataset”: {DataSet_JSON} | **NOT USED** |
| **Function** | "function":"makecontinuouskey" | MakeContinousKey |
| **Discrete Field** | “p1”: “DiscreteFieldName” | Required. The field providing the distinct values to use in building the key. Fields with DataSize of Continuous are not valid as a Discrete Field parameter. |

## JSON Sample

```json
{
  "method": "BuildBakedField",
  "project": "D3",
  "targetTable": "transactions",
  "overwrite": true,
  "name": "Cont_Key_DATE",
  "function": "makecontinuouskey",
  "p1": "date"
}
```

## Usage Notes

Depending on field characteristics, statistics may not be calculated.

See Also:

- Engineering | Expression Field
- IntegerSequenceKey (General Functions)
- LongSequenceKey (General Functions)

## Example

| Example | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **Description** | **Create a continuous key from a date field** |
| **Input** | - Table: = [transactions] - *Filter: = [No Filter]* - **Function: = MakeContinuousKey** - Discrete Field:= date - Name: =Cont_Key_Date |
| **Sample** | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/73b6469b-c1e4-47e9-aa65-986c8ebd17ca/Images/Documentation/Gen_MakeContKey_Example.png) |