Rounding - Why is it so hard?

Attached is a workflow where i have a list of values that may be up to 4 decimal places long. I want to round them to 2 decimal places for display purposes in a chart. It seems like I should be able to change the field type to "Fixed Decimal" and designate 2 decimal places. However, for some reason that field type has something called a "Scale"? What is that? Why is it?

I have tried using the Round(value, 2) function with different types of number fields, but have not found the secret combination to get 2 decimal places.

How can I get the values rounded to 2 decimal places?

And, if anyone knows, why has Alteryx made something that is so simple so counter-intuitive (at least for me)?

Thanks,Scott

Rounding Issue Example.yxzp

Preparation

Accepted answers

ScottShimer

Thanks, I did finally get the correct combination of formula and data type, which worked. I also tried using the fixed decimal after finding the explanation you provided, but could not get it to work the way I expected based on the explanation.

I appreciate your feedback on the why of the complexity and I agree that string data types have the same issue. I have listened to the training videos and the data types are explained, but I do not understand the need for the complexity?

I believe the tool would be much more intuitive if Alteryx consolidated some of those data types.

Thanks again!

All comments

ChrisTX

Round(1.25, 0.1) returns a value of 1.3

Round(1.227, 0.01) returns a value of 1.23

Here are all of the math functions: https://help.alteryx.com/current/designer/math-functions

Chris

ScottShimer

Thanks, Chris, It is not difficult, if you know the syntax. But it does not address the other part of my question, what is the "Fixed Decimal" field type for, if not setting a fixed decimal field, and what is scale? Also, the round function in Alteryx seems very different than other tools and languages I use, it would be good for Alteryx to try and standardize, less deviating provides significant value.

All that said, I do appreciate your feedback! 🙂

Regards,

Scott

ScottShimer

As a follow-up, your suggestion about the formula works, but the Interactive Chart tool seems to ignore the formula output. See the attached screenshots. The data type in the formula is "Float", Size = 4.

Chart Output.jpg

Fomula Output - 2 decimal places.jpg

grazitti_sapna

Hi @ScottShimer , change the column value datatype to double then use formula tool using formula Round(value,0.01). This will work, please refer to the screenshot for better clarity.
Thanks.

Martin_F

Solution

thanks!

challenge_8_start_file_solution_mfioren.yxmd

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