Select tool changes type on its own after Data Stream Out tool

[nikolinamilincevic]

Hi! 

I am encountering issues with Select tool in Alteryx Designer after I take the data out of database. 

First I use Data Stream Out tool, and after that Select tool where I change type of column A from Fixed Decimal to Int in order to join with another table on key column A. 

When I Run the workflow for the first time, everything works fine.

If I run the workflow another time, Join tool returns an error because of different data types on column A, even though I didn't do any changes. 

When I go to configuration of my Select tool - my column A went back to being a fixed decimal. Select tool changed data type on its own. Now I would change it back to Int and after second "Run", if goes back to fixed decimal. 

There is no option for Int: Forced in this case - only FixedDecimal: Forced.

This can become very iritating, as you may guess.

Does someone else encounter this type of problem?

Am I doing something wrong?

And, is there a solution?

[alexnajm]

I would instead use a Formula to calculate a new column from your original with your rounding requirement - that should get around it!

[caltang · Accepted solution]

To solve for this, use the Multi-field formula tool and select "ALL Types of":

Then this forces your column of choice to remain the data type you want pre-Join.

Also, worth checking with you to see - when you set it with the SELECT tool, did you use the same dataset (no sampling) before running? If so, sometimes the data stream in is reading the data differently - rather than fixed decimal, it could read as double, then your selections in the SELECT tool no longer hold because you are converting from Fixed Decimal and not Double.

[alexnajm]

Nice solution @caltang !

[nikolinamilincevic]

Thanks for help! Very nice :) 

[caltang]

Happy to solve together! :) @nikolinamilincevic @alexnajm 

[Lada_R]

Hi! I have similar issue but with Formula tool. I defined my field as V_String, and after 2 runs it turns to Double. In addition, Data Type options becomes inactive. Is there any way to change this back and to avoid automatic data type change?

[nikolinamilincevic]

are you using Formula in-DB tool? if so, have you tried defining your new field with TO_CHAR(your_field)?

in case of the regular Formula Tool, I would suggest you check caltang's solution using Multifield formula tool and ToString() function.

[Lada_R]

I am using regular Formula Tool.

Thank you, I will try this solution. But I also would be interested to understand why this thing happens to me :)