How to Convert a String to a Decimal with Negative Numbers
When working with a range of numbers that include both positive and negative values and the column appears as a string, you may encounter issues when converting the data type. This article will guide you through the process of converting the string column to a decimal data type, while preserving negative numbers.
Solution
To convert the string column to a decimal data type, use the following expression:
Expression – try_convert(decimal(38,2), REPLACE([number], ',', '.'))
This expression uses the try_convert function to attempt the conversion of the string to a decimal data type with a precision of 38 and a scale of 2. The REPLACE function is used to replace any commas with periods, ensuring that the decimal separator is consistent.
Example
Consider the following example:
SELECT try_convert(decimal(38,2), REPLACE([number], ',', '.')) AS [ConvertedNumber]
FROM [YourTable]
This query will convert the [number] column in the [YourTable] to a decimal data type, while preserving negative numbers.
Conclusion
By using the try_convert function and the REPLACE function, you can successfully convert a string column containing both positive and negative numbers to a decimal data type. If you need further assistance, please feel free to reach out to our support team.
Additional References
