MySQL datatype conversion from varchar to float

Question

How might I convert a varchar into a float in MySQL while executing a query?

Answer 1

You cannot cast the value in mysql using float type.

The type can use following values:

• BINARY[(N)]
• CHAR[(N)]
• DATE
• DATETIME
• DECIMAL[(M[,D])]
• SIGNED [INTEGER]
• TIME
• UNSIGNED [INTEGER]

So in your case you have to use decimal, e.g:

select cast(amount AS DECIMAL(10,2)) as 'float-value' from amounts

Answer 2

You can use this simple trick 0 + column_name to convert it to float.

select 0 + column_name from table;