2.140 FAQ-1217 How to import large integers and not show in scientific notation?

Last Update: 4/22/2025

Two ways to import large integers displaying all the digits.

Import big integer as Text

By default, for integer larger than 15 digits, e.g. ID number etc. the integer will be imported as text so not converted to scientific notation e.g. 1E15, etc. In contrast, the big integer less than 15 digits will be imported as numeric and thus truncated by displaying in scientific notation.

Note:
  • A system variable @BID determines the threshold digit beyond which the big integer will be imported as Text. It sets to 15 by default. Therefore, if you want to display all the digits of big integers with less than 15 digits, e.g. "35928471539682", set @BID to a smaller value, e.g. 13.


Import big integer as Numeric

From Origin 2025b, for big integers no more than 11 digits, you can show the full digits by setting Decimal Places to 0. That is,

  1. Double click on the column header to open the Column Properties dialog.
  2. Under Options group, set as follow:
    • Format = Numeric or Text&Numeric
    • Digits = Set Decimal Places
    • Decimal Number = 0
    Big Integer Column Properties.png
Note:
  • When Decimal Places is set, a system variable @BIT determines the threshold bigger than which the integer will show in scientific notation. It sets to 1E10 by default. Therefore, if you import integers bigger than 1E10 and want to import as numeric with full digits shown, set @BID to a larger value, e.g. 1E20.

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