# Identifying similar columns

During sensitivity scans and schema change scans, Tonic Structural identifies groups of similar columns.

To identify similar columns, Structural uses a text embedding model to calculate the semantic similarity between any two column names in the database. When a column name's semantic similarity  to the name of a given column is above a specified threshold, then the column is similar to the given column.

If a column has similar columns, then the **Applied Generator** column contains an icon that includes the count of similar columns.

<figure><img src="https://3378426797-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LSQCLFQ4bslJ-HYc8c3%2Fuploads%2FtkMVqp48yCtdIFiyBsG7%2FSimilarColumnsIcon.png?alt=media&#x26;token=014c0d7f-e475-4a8b-ae5f-f8484d2c93a5" alt=""><figcaption><p>Similar columns icon with the count of similar columns</p></figcaption></figure>

By default, the similar columns icon is hidden. To display the similar columns icon, hover over the column row.

When you assign a generator to a column, the similar columns icon for that column remains visible during your current session.

When you click the similar columns icon, Structural displays a panel with an option to filter the list to display the current column and its similar columns. To apply the filter, click **Filter**.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://3378426797-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LSQCLFQ4bslJ-HYc8c3%2Fuploads%2FNo6tegRZS9tOVTWnXoKB%2FSimilarColumnsPanel.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8f454681-0665-4904-9571-7a0f08d648ee" alt=""><figcaption><p>Similar columns panel with filter option</p></figcaption></figure>

The similar columns filter is applied, and other table and column filters are removed.

<figure><img src="https://3378426797-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LSQCLFQ4bslJ-HYc8c3%2Fuploads%2FVTY3w7Di7T3Pb7YQEKD0%2FSimilarColumnsFilterApplied.png?alt=media&#x26;token=63a0bd24-4323-4deb-a7ec-c8222472d31c" alt=""><figcaption><p>Database View column list with a similar columns filter applied</p></figcaption></figure>