keep multiple zeroes in a string?

[matthew_swanson]

i have this formula.. most (but not all) of the values in this field are null. what i'm trying to do is replace null with '00000000', but alteryx keeps interpreting that as '0'.. how can i keep all 8 zeroes?

[atcodedog05 · Accepted solution]

Hi @matthew_swanson 

Your formula should be

If [KOSTL (COST_CENTER)]=null() then "00000000"

Else [KOSTL (COST_CENTER)]

Endif

Currently whats happening is [KOSTL (COST_CENTER)] = "00000000" is a sub condition which is retuning false i,e 0

Hope this helps 🙂

[Luke_C · Accepted solution]

Hi @matthew_swanson 

What is likely happening is this field is set to be numeric. Since you are trying to insert a string "000000", alteryx cannot convert that to be numeric and puts 0 as the default. I'd suggest using a select tool to update the data type, or creating a new field in the formula tool that is a string.

Also, your first clause could be simplified to 'if isnull([KOSTL (COST_CENTER)]) then...'

edit: good eyes @atcodedog05 that's definitely the issue

[matthew_swanson]

@atcodedog05  wow, that was a big oversight on my part. thanks for the help

also, sorry for posting so many stupid questions to this board, haha

[atcodedog05]

Hi @matthew_swanson 

Happy to help 🙂

Nope, its not a stupid question. If you hesitate to ask questions thinking they are stupid, you will miss out on learning lot of things 🙂