# UNICODE


Returns in a new column the Unicode index value for the first character of the strings in the source column or for custom strings.

**Parameters**
+ `sourceColumn` – The name of an existing column.
+ `value` – A character string to evaluate.
+ `targetColumn` – The name of the new column to be created.

**Note**  
You can specify either `sourceColumn` or `value`, but not both.

**Examples**  
  

```
{
    "RecipeAction": {
        "Operation": "UNICODE",
        "Parameters": {
            "sourceColumn": "first_name",
            "targetColumn": "first_name_unicode"
        }
    }
}
```
  

```
{
    "RecipeAction": {
        "Operation": "UNICODE",
        "Parameters": {
            "value": "?",
            "targetColumn": "sixty_three"
        }
    }
}
```