Users may define display precision for decimal fields in registration and result schemas. These settings control how values are displayed throughout Benchling including in Registry and Search. In Notebook tables, display precision controls how values appear after they are submitted. The original value entered into tables is retained and used in formula evaluation. Formula evaluation does not use the precision display value for calculations.
To configure display precision for Registry Schemas, highlight the decimal field where display precision should be applied, then using the “gear icon” select Set decimal precision and set it to the desired number of decimal places.
To configure display precision for Result schemas, open the result schema where display precision should be applied and select the option to Edit as JSON. Find the float field you would like to modify and add the JSON script "displayPrecision": [number], where [number] is the desired number of decimal places. Once added click Update to save the changes. In the example below display precision is set to 2 for the field Bioburden (CFU/mL).
If the Schema display precision setting is changed at any time, all data outside of the Notebook will abide by this new precision based off of the original input value which is retained. Historical Notebook tables will not be changed, the new precision value is only applied on table submissions moving forward.
Note: These schema settings differ from the table cell display precision that could additionally be placed on specific Notebook table cells directly by selecting the target column and using the “gear icon” in the table formatting bar to Set precision.
How display precision set on schema fields works
The Bioburden (CFU/mL) field in the result table has a set decimal precision of 2 at the schema-level. The full input value is visible before submission.
After submission, the value is rounded to 2 decimals for display purposes based on the set precision of the field. While only 2 digits are visible in the UI, the full value (56.345345) is stored in the database.
The full value (56.345345) can be viewed or edited in the cell post submission and it is used for formula-based calculations.
This approach ensures that calculations maintain accuracy even when the UI rounds the values for presentation.
Key behaviors include:
- Schema display precision can be configured for both registration and result schemas.
- The UI rounds values based on the defined precision, but the database retains the original input value.
- Downstream calculations and formulas in Notebook tables use the original input value.