In the Sample tool, what does the group by column option do?

The group by column option in the Sample tool allows for specific control over how data is managed in relation to distinct groups defined in the dataset. When this option is utilized, the tool can be configured to return a fixed number of rows for each unique group identified by the specified grouping column. This is particularly useful in scenarios where you need a representative sample from multiple categories or segments within your data, such as obtaining the same number of records from each region, department, or product category.

By returning N rows for each specified group, it ensures a balanced view across different categories, which is valuable for analysis and comparative insights. This functionality enhances the capability of the Sample tool to provide structured sampling, ideal for preparing datasets where there might be an unequal representation of groups.