Replace the first n characters

This function masks the first n characters, while the following ones remain as is.

Option	Description
Method	The Randomly method randomly selects a character. As a result, two identical input values can be masked with different output values. When the same value appears twice in the input data, the Consistently method ensures that the function outputs the same masked value in the same Job execution. This function can encrypt the output masked values in the same format as the input values, using Format-Preserving Encryption (FPE) methods: FF1 with AES relies on the Advanced Encryption Standard in CBC mode. FF1 with SHA-2 relies on the secure hash function HMAC-256. The FPE methods are bijective methods, except when using tweaks. The FF1 with AES and FF1 with SHA-2 methods require a password to generate encrypted and repeatable masked values. Those FPE methods do not use a seed. You can specify this password in the password for FF1 method field, from the Advanced Settings of the component.
Extra parameter	This function requires an extra parameter. The extra parameter must be a number. This is the number of characters to be masked. You can enter a second extra parameter, which is the replacement character.

Option

Description

Method

The Randomly method randomly selects a character. As a result, two identical input values can be masked with different output values.

When the same value appears twice in the input data, the Consistently method ensures that the function outputs the same masked value in the same Job execution.

This function can encrypt the output masked values in the same format as the input values, using Format-Preserving Encryption (FPE) methods:

FF1 with AES relies on the Advanced Encryption Standard in CBC mode.
FF1 with SHA-2 relies on the secure hash function HMAC-256.

The FPE methods are bijective methods, except when using tweaks.

The FF1 with AES and FF1 with SHA-2 methods require a password to generate encrypted and repeatable masked values. Those FPE methods do not use a seed.

You can specify this password in the password for FF1 method field, from the Advanced Settings of the component.

Extra parameter

This function requires an extra parameter.

The extra parameter must be a number. This is the number of characters to be masked.

You can enter a second extra parameter, which is the replacement character.

In the following examples, the first two characters from the input values are masked.

In the first example, the replacement character is not defined. The first two characters are masked with random characters.

In the second example, the first two characters are masked with the defined character.

Input value	Method	Extra parameter	Example of a masked value
Jack	Randomly	"2"	Pvck
S1000D	Randomly	"2,s"	ss000D

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