Inline datatype conversion
Sometimes it is necessary to convert data to a specific type in order to avoid possible errors during operation. In such cases you can use the inline conversion functions below.
 | Data from XML data sources and merge parameters is always text (the type is string). This means that you may have to convert it into a number before you can use it in a calculation. |
Conversion function | Description | Default value | Example |
CBool | Converts the data into a boolean (true / false) | false | $[CBool(Data source:Option1)] |
CByte | Converts the data into a byte, an unsigned number from 0 to 255. | 0 | $[CByte(Data:SmallNumber)] |
CChar | Converts the data into a character. | space | $[CChar(Data:Text)] |
CDate | Converts the data into a date/time object. | Now | $[CDate(Data:StartDate)|MM dd yyyy] |
CDbl | Converts the data into a double precision floating point value. | 0.0 | $[CDbl(products:price)] + 5.0 |
CDec | Converts the data to a decimal value. Decimal values are fixed point numbers, useful for calculation monetary values. | 0 | $[products:price] * $[CDec(Margin)] |
CInt | Converts the data into a 32-bit signed integer. | 0 | $[CInt(order:quantity)] |
CLng | Converts the data into a 64-bit signed integer. | 0 | $[CLng(product:serial)] |
CShort | Converts the data into a 16-bit signed integer. | 0 | $[CShort(order:quantity)] |
CSng | Converts the data into a single precision floating point value. | 0.0 | $[CSng(order:price)] |
CStr | Converts the data to a string | empty string | $[CStr(Data:Number)] |
Type checking functions
The following conversion function checks if data can be converted to a certain type.
All functions return true or false.
Conversion function | Description | Default value | Example |
IsBool | Can the data be converted into a boolean. | n/a | $[IsBool(Data source:Option1)] |
IsByte | Can the data be converted into a byte. | n/a | $[IsByte(Data:SmallNumber)] |
IsChar | Can the data be converted into a character. | n/a | $[IsChar(Data:Text)] |
IsDate | Can the data be converted into a date/time object. | n/a | $[IsDate(Data:StartDate)] |
IsDbl | Can the data be converted into a double precision floating point value. | n/a | $[IsDbl(products:price)] |
IsCDec | Can the data be converted to a decimal value. | n/a | $[IsDec(Margin)] |
IsInt | Can the data be converted into a 32-bit signed integer. | n/a | $[IsInt(order:quantity)] |
IsLng | Can the data be converted into a 64-bit signed integer. | n/a | $[IsLng(product:serial)] |
IsShort | Can the data be converted into a 16-bit signed integer. | n/a | $[IsShort(order:quantity)] |
IsSng | Can the data be converted into a single precision floating point value. | n/a | $[IsSng(order:price)] |
IsStr | Can the data be converted to a string | n/a | $[IsStr(Data:Number)] |
Conversion error & default values
If a conversion fails because the data cannot be converted, a default value is used.
You can manually specify this value or use the built-in default ones.
To specify your own default value, write it after the query in the following format:
$[CInt(Charges:Allowance, 22)]If the Allowance data cannot be converted to an integer, the value 22 is used.