Entering numbers as exponentials / scientific notation

[John_Chi]

Is there any way to enter numbers as exponents in scientific notation into Airtable? For example, we get readings from some instruments in exponential format such as 4.67e6 or 4.67x10^6 as in 4,670,000, but in order to avoid people making errors translating 4.67e6 to 4,670,000, I want them to be able to enter in the number the way it shows up on the instrument: 4.67e6 or 3.42e5, or whatever.

[kuovonne]

Welcome to the Airtable community!

You could have users enter the two parts of the scientific number in two different fields. Then use a formula field to calculate the decimal.

IF(
  AND(
    {significand (m)} & "",
    {significand (m)} < 10,
    {significand (m)} > -10,
    {exponent (n)} & ""
  ),
  {significand (m)} * POWER(10, {exponent (n)})
)

You can see a writeup on my website here, including a working demo where you can enter your own numbers.