I’m working with a database table that has decimal values stored in one of the columns. I need to convert these decimal numbers to whole integers using SQL queries.
For example, if I have a value like 856.789123, I want to round it up to 857. I’m looking for the best way to handle this conversion while making sure the rounding works correctly.
I’ve tried a few different approaches but I’m not getting the results I expected. What’s the most reliable method to transform decimal values into integers in SQL? Are there any built-in functions that can help with this type of number conversion?
Any suggestions or examples would be really helpful. I’m using a standard SQL database and need this to work consistently across different decimal values in my dataset.
Using the CEILING function is indeed the most effective way to round up decimal values to whole integers. Note that the syntax may vary slightly between different SQL databases; for instance, PostgreSQL and MySQL commonly use CEIL() or CEILING(), while SQL Server utilizes only CEILING(). This function properly handles negative decimals by rounding towards zero. If precision is a concern with very large decimal numbers, you might also consider pairing CEILING with a cast to an integer type: SELECT CAST(CEILING(your_column) AS INTEGER) FROM your_table. This method has proven reliable in financial applications requiring consistent upward rounding.
yeah, CEILING function’s perfect for this. just use SELECT CEILING(your_column) FROM your_table and it’ll always round up. works reliably in most sql databases i’ve used.
do you have a specific reason for always rounding up? I think it depends on your needs. CEIL() is good for that, but ROUND() might fit better if you’re looking for nearest values. What kind of results are you looking for, and how does your data look?