What type of data can the formula tool apply mathematical calculations to?

The formula tool in Alteryx is specifically designed to perform mathematical calculations on numeric data. It allows users to create new variables, manipulate existing ones, and apply various mathematical functions to numeric fields. This capability is essential for data analysis, as it facilitates operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and complex calculations that are foundational in processing and analyzing datasets.

While narrative and image data types carry valuable information, they do not lend themselves to mathematical calculations in the same way that numeric data does. Narrative data typically involves text and categorical values, making it unsuitable for mathematical manipulation. Similarly, image data is comprised of visual elements that require different forms of processing, such as image recognition, rather than numerical computations. The formula tool's functionality is tailored to handle numeric values efficiently, highlighting its role in data transformation and analysis within Alteryx workflows.