Understanding Fixed Decimals in Alteryx

Cesar561

This discussion will explore what a fixed decimal is in Alteryx and how it is used. We will discuss examples of when and why it is used, as well as some tips and tricks for working with this feature. We will also explore any potential issues that may arise when using a fixed decimal in Alteryx.

redfish2

Fixed decimals in Alteryx is a type of data formatting which allows you to specify how many decimals should be included in a numerical field.

Altering the fixed decimal settings can help you clean and manage your data. It lets you adjust all data in a particular field to the same number of decimal places.

For example, if you have a field containing both 1.21 and 4.855, setting the fixed decimal to two would round both numbers to 1.21 and 4.86, respectively.

Setting fixed decimals in Alteryx is a simple procedure. First, select the field containing the number you’d like to change. Then in the Properties panel, go to the Data Formatting section and select the Fixed Decimal option.

Finally, input the required number of decimal from the dropdown.

You can also use the fixed decimal convention in the formula tool to specify exact rounding of a calculation. For more information about using fixed decimals in Alteryx, you can check out this official guide: (link to guide)

Hope this helps!

Helle795

Fixed decimal in Alteryx is a data type that stores numbers with a fixed number of decimals. It provides additional precision over the normal number data type, which stores numbers as a float and can introduce rounding errors when data is converted. With the fixed decimal type, the rounded values become explicit and avoid any surprises when manipulating data.

This data type is particularly useful when working on financial or other types of sensitive data that require absolute accuracy. For example, you could use fixed decimal to calculate accurate mutual fund returns, margins, or currency conversions. In addition, it's helpful when you need to verify a certain range of values or when matching records in different databases that have different decimal limits.

It's important to note that fixed decimal requires more bytes for storage compared to normal number or float data type. So, if you don't need such accuracy, it makes more sense to stick to the float or integer data types.