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Change data type from integer to decimal

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Posted on by neckit

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Hi,

we use BC OnPrem and we have a special field in several tables (Sales Line + Sales Shipment Line + Sales Invoice Line) that currently has the Integer data type and is integrated into many pages, reports and codeunits. Now it is necessary that we also have to record decimal numbers here.

To change the data type I would like

Save the current values for this field in a separated table
Change the data type of this field using ForceSync
Write the separate saved values back into the tables.

Is it correct that with this procedure (via ForceSync) only the contents of this one field are deleted in the tables? And can I therefore safely do it as described above?
Or is there another danger lurking here? Since I've usually only worked with Synchronize so far, I'm a little unsure what effect this might have when using ForceSync.

kind regards
Ralf

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Dynamics 365 Business Central

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Mohamed Amine Mahmoudi 26,390 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi @neckit,

I don't think there is any deletion in this case since the change from integer to decimal type

also you can use Synchroise mode

Best regards,

Mohamed Amine MAHMOUDI

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neckit 144 on at

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That is not correct. Synchronize is not accepted here and an initial test with ForceSync showed that the field values are then deleted. But I'm still unsure what further consequences this could have and whether my approach is advisable!

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Mohamed Amine Mahmoudi 26,390 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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if your are not sure you can test in sandbox environment.

BR

Mohamed Amine MAHMOUDI

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Ram Pranav 50 on at

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Ralf,

The best practice is to

Obsolete the Integer field.

Create a new Decimal field.

Replace all the references of the old field with the new field. (You can do this in VsCode by Right Click -> Go to References)

Create an Upgrade Codeunit.

In the upgrade CU, use the DataTransfer datatype to transfer the value from Integer field to Decimal field.

Test your functionalities, check if the values are transferred properly to the new field.

Once tested thoroughly, remove the old integer field by force syncing the extension.

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YUN ZHU 95,329 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi, hope the following can give you some hints.

In-depth testing for Force Sync mode in Production Environment (Renaming tables, Renaming fields, Changing field type…)

https://yzhums.com/18755/

Thanks.

ZHU

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