# Convert type \`Any\` to \`Symbol\` to subset \`DataFrame\` columns

**URL:** <https://discourse.julialang.org/t/convert-type-any-to-symbol-to-subset-dataframe-columns/3389>\
**Category:** General Usage\
**Created:** [April 26, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/convert-type-any-to-symbol-to-subset-dataframe-columns/3389 "2017-04-26T18:44:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sbohor3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@sbohor3](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/sbohor3)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 6:44pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/convert-type-any-to-symbol-to-subset-dataframe-columns/3389/1 "2017-04-26T18:44:27Z")

</div>

I am trying to subset a dataframe’s (DF) columns using a list of column names extracted using `DataFrames.Terms(model_formula).terms` which returns a type of `Any` object. I would like to convert this type `Any` to `Symbol` so I can subset a DF as indicated below;

**This works fine;**

```julia
using DataFrames
df = DataFrame()
df[:y] = randn(10)
df[:x1] = randn(10)
df[:x2] = randn(10)

name_list = [:x1, :x2]
df[name_list]

```

**However, this does not work as `input_covariates ` is of type `Any` and produces following method mismatching error.**  
Any idea how to achieve my goal here??Thanks.  
@mkborregaard @ChrisRackauckas

```julia
model_formula = y ~ x1 + x2
input_covariates = DataFrames.Terms(model_formula).terms
df[input_covariates]

```

![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/original/3X/6/d/6d484b29aaccc1024a69395de1412323968193b8.png)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mkborregaard](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/julialang/user_avatar/discourse.julialang.org/mkborregaard/32/556_2.png) [@mkborregaard](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/mkborregaard)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 7:09pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/convert-type-any-to-symbol-to-subset-dataframe-columns/3389/2 "2017-04-26T19:09:11Z")

</div>

`df[Symbol.(input_covariates)]`

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sbohor3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@sbohor3](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/sbohor3)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/convert-type-any-to-symbol-to-subset-dataframe-columns/3389/3 "2017-04-26T20:38:35Z")

</div>

@mkborregaard: Thanks a lot.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sbohor3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@sbohor3](https://discourse.julialang.org/u/sbohor3)\
**Post date:** [April 26, 2017, 10:21pm UTC](https://discourse.julialang.org/t/convert-type-any-to-symbol-to-subset-dataframe-columns/3389/4 "2017-04-26T22:21:37Z")

</div>

@mkborregaard: Another quick question. How do I subset a `Dictionary` object by keys? Or

How do I subset object created by `DataFrames.groupby()`?

Thanks.