Considerations for Numeric Values

Confirm that numeric values in a column are uniform in granularity and units. Inconsistencies can occur within a data source and after merging data from multiple data sources.

• Use the same granularity. Don’t mix aggregate totals with transaction values in the same column. For example, if you have a column that contains invoice charges, make sure that the values in that column are all at the same level of detail: either the total invoice charge or charges for individual line items, but not both. Similarly, don’t mix values from different time intervals, such as weekly and monthly totals.
• Standardize on a single unit of measure. If a column contains numeric values represented by different units of measure, such as currencies, weights, or dimensions, consider creating a calculated column and converting those numbers into a common unit of measure. That way, you compare apples to apples, not apples to oranges to lemons.
• Use a consistent numeric precision or scale. If you have long numbers or numbers with many decimal places, consider creating a calculated column that simplifies the values by rounding or dividing by a multiple of 10.