sql - VARCHAR to DECIMAL

Question

I want to convert a varchar(max) column to decimal(10,4).

When I try to use cast or convert I am getting an arithmetic overflow exception. The issue is that the data stored in the varchar column may contain different precisions and different scales. For example, 123456789.1234567', 1.12345678 or 123456.1234.

For values like 123456.1234 it is converting with out any issue but for other values I am having some problems.

Answer 1

After testing I found that it was not the decimal place that was causing the problem, it was the precision (10)

This doesn't work: Arithmetic overflow error converting varchar to data type numeric.

DECLARE @TestConvert VARCHAR(MAX) = '123456789.12343594'

SELECT CAST(@TestConvert AS DECIMAL(10, 4))

This worked

DECLARE @TestConvert VARCHAR(MAX) = '123456789.12343594'

SELECT CAST(@TestConvert AS DECIMAL(18, 4))