Tablora · Library
Normalize decimal-comma amounts explicitly
Convert amounts like 1.234,50 to 1234.50 by choosing a decimal comma and point grouping for one column, with unclear values held back.
Recognizing a decimal-comma column
Across much of Europe, Latin America and Turkey, amounts are written with a comma before the fraction and a point between thousands: 1.234,50 is one thousand two hundred thirty-four and a half. The giveaway in your data is a comma followed by two digits at the end of most values, and points that only appear between groups of three digits.
Removing every point and comma and hoping for the best can produce a plausible but wrong figure. The normalizer asks you to state both roles and applies them to one column only, so a code or a description elsewhere in the row is never touched.
Normalizer settings for 1.234,50
- Paste the table into Table text and choose the Delimiter; in many decimal-comma exports that is a semicolon.
- Tick First row contains column names if the first line holds headers.
- Pick the amount column in Number column.
- Set Decimal separator to , and Grouping separator to .
- Press Calculate, then compare a few converted values with the original before using Download (CSV).
From 1.234,50 to 1234.50
With these settings the source value 1.234,50 becomes 1234.50, with both fraction digits kept. A value without grouping such as 15,20 becomes 15.20. A value like 1.234 with no comma is read as 1234, because the point can only be a group separator under these settings.
If you set the separators the other way round by mistake, 1.234,50 is not misread as a smaller number. It cannot be parsed with a decimal point and comma grouping, so it stays as text under Values left for review. A large review count is often the first sign that the settings are reversed.
Converted values are written with a point, the form the decimal totals checker expects. If your own spreadsheet uses a decimal comma, import the download with settings that match the file instead of converting the column back by hand.
Errors to avoid with decimal commas
- Choosing the same character for both separators: the tool rejects that combination and asks you to check the entered values.
- Using comma as the Delimiter for a decimal-comma table. The amounts then split across two cells; choose semicolon or tab instead.
- Applying the setting to a column that contains a different convention from another source; split mixed sources first.
- Expecting the Tablora app to need this choice. Its XLSX export works out the decimal mark for each number column from the values that are unambiguous, so check a value like 1.234 against the page after export.
Original synthetic example
- Source value
- 1.234,50
- Decimal separator
- ,
- Grouping separator
- .
- Expected outcome
- Normalized amount: 1234.50