Malformed IF Statement

[aoifemccormack]

I'm trying to fix the following error in my flow and don't have much Alteryx experience to solve what probably is a simple issue.

The expected utilisation rate data is recorded in the below format:

I keep getting this error when trying to run my flow: Parse Error at char(99): Malformed If Statement (Expression #1)

Can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong?

[davidskaife]

Hi @aoifemccormack 

You need to provide an 'Else' and 'Endif' clause, for example:

If [what is the expected utilisation rate?] > 1
THEN [what is the expected utilisation rate?]/100
ELSE xx
ENDIF

where xx is the default output if the IF statement doesn't work

[JamesCharnley]

Hi @aoifemccormack 

Editing because I didn't read the Q properly in my haste. The above answer should cover it, just check that the data types are correct as well and you should be good

[davidskaife]

Good spot @JamesCharnley 

@aoifemccormack  you're trying to apply a numerical calculation to a string field:

[aoifemccormack]

Thanks both! @JamesCharnley @davidskaife 

Another beginner question here sorry, but what should I change the data type to to accept the calculation?

[davidskaife]

Hi @aoifemccormack 

As it's decimal places Double works well

[JamesCharnley]

No worries @aoifemccormack 

You'll want some kind of numeric data type that allows decimals. Fixed decimal, float or double should all work in this instance. I truthfully just default to double pretty much any time unless working with large data sets

[MichelleMitchellLutz]

@aoifemccormack to add on - I will use Fixed more often because I can set the number of decimal points (19.2 would be two decimal points, 19.3 would be 3 decimal points). 

[EdwardCochrane]

If in doubt about what data type to use, you can always insert an Autofield tool into your flow. Just check to make sure that Alteryx has made the correct decision/that the decision fit your intended use case (for example, some of Alteryx's choices do not always work nicely with excel further down the line).