Converting visible numbers to plain text

[SClarke501]

Bit of a strange one but I can't figure out how to do this in Power Query.

I have a column of decimal numbers, where I need to differentiate between things like 1.1 and 1.10 (1.10 wants to be treated as one point ten). Some of the numbers gathered from the data are also too long, i.e. "2.29999999" where I want it to just be 2.3.

I've actually managed to get the column into the format I want by mixing types of strings for 1.10 and decimal numbers for 1.1, rounding 2.2999999... to 2.3 etc.

Visually it is in the format I want, but I need to convert them all to strings to be used as columns. When I convert them to strings it converts 2.3 back into 2.29999999 etc.

Is there a way to convert this column to text, while keeping it as it visually is?

[v-stephen-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @SClarke501 ,

You can use Number.RroundUp() to convert 2.29999999 to 2.3.

And the new column can be changed to text type.

Best Regards,

Stephen Tao

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[ronrsnfld]

For example, if you initially set your column to text (before doing any transformations), and your rule was that if the numbers after the decimal are in the set {1..12}, otherwise round to one digit, you could use this step in Power Query:

= Table.TransformColumns(#"Changed Type",
        {"Column1", each if List.Contains(List.Transform(List.Numbers(1,12),each Text.From(_)),Text.Split(_,"."){1})
            then _ else Number.ToText(Number.FromText(_),"0.0")})

[watkinnc]

Sounds like some floating point math stuff.  You can use fixed decimal or double precision, I'm not at my desk, but if you do your math at Value.Add/Multiply/etc. you can control the precision--check the docs here:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/power-query-m-function-reference

--Nate

[ronrsnfld]

What formula do you use to round 2.9999999 => 2.3 ???

[SClarke501]

Sorry, I meant 2.2999999

[ronrsnfld]

It's not clear to me what exact rules you use to determine whether to Round a number, or leave it as one or more digits.  However, I'd suggest initially setting the values to type text.  Then, using an IF clause to determine the type of rounding required for the digits after the decimal, then using Number.ToText(Number.From(_),"0.0")) (or "0.00") to create the appropriate text string.