Python code to alteryx tools migration minute decimal value discrepancy

Question

I've been working on optimizing an existing Alteryx workflow. Previously, this workflow utilized 6 separate Python tools for certain calculations. To improve performance and streamline the process, I've refactored the workflow, replacing the Python code with native Alteryx tools wherever possible.

The challenge I'm facing is that after this refactoring, I'm observing a consistent, albeit small, discrepancy in the "minute decimal" values between the original (Python-based) workflow and the new (Alteryx tool-based) workflow. This difference specifically appears in one particular calculated column.

Crucially, the formula used for this calculation is identical in both workflows. The only difference lies in how that formula is implemented:

* Original Workflow: Python script performing the calculation.

* New Workflow: A combination of Alteryx tools
Any suggestions on how to further debug this or identify the exact point where the discrepancy is introduced within the Alteryx tool chain?

I am happy to provide:

* A simplified version of the calculation formula.

* Screenshots of the relevant Alteryx workflow sections.

* Example input and output data (anonymized if necessary) showing the discrepancy.(I will be attaching this now)(One column is of python workflow and the other column data is of alteryx. They are dummy data resembling the issue)

Thank you in advance for your time and expertise!

Best regards,

Akhilesh

Screenshot 2025-07-30 154339.png

Gaurav_Dhama_ · Answer

Correct, and adding to that, if you need higher precision in python, you would need to use decimal module instead. That will give you higher decimal precision and you should get same results. Unless it’s manually rounded at some point.
Also, check for the rounding, in python, rounding is to even number. What that means is if you round 3.445 in python, it will round it to 3.44, but that will be converting to 3.45 in alteryx.

apathetichell · Answer

If your issue is with precise data 10+ decimals --- I faced this issue ---> I ended up converting my python number to a string and sent it to Alteryx as a string ---> Once there I could convert to fixed decimal at whatever precision I needed. My memory -- and this was a few years and a few versions of python ago was that at it's core there was a limit to the precision that was passed between Python and Alteryx --- like 8 or 10 decimals.

OTrieger · Answer

It is not how the formula is set, but the data type. What is the data type in Alteryx for the fields var-a. var-b and var-x?