---
title: "COBOL: Alphanumeric, Numeric, Decimal Move Statements"
description: "COBOL example syntax for move statements for Alpha, Numeric and Decimal"
url: https://srinimf.com/2015/07/10/cobol-move-alphanumeric-move-numeric-move-decimal-move/
date: 2015-07-10
modified: 2026-10-10
author: "Srini"
image: https://i0.wp.com/srinimf.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pexels-photo-461064.jpeg?fit=1880%2C1253&ssl=1
categories: ["COBOL"]
tags: ["COBOL Tips and Tricks"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# COBOL: Alphanumeric, Numeric, Decimal Move Statements

MOVE is COBOL reserved word. The Simple syntax for MOVE is:

```
MOVE {identifier-1 | literal-1} TO identifier-2 ..
```

Related[COBOL: Assumed Decimal Vs Dot](https://srinimf.com/2018/07/27/cobol-real-answer-on-assumed-decimal-vs-dot/)

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Related[COBOL Picture clause Characters](https://srinimf.com/2015/12/16/complete-list-of-cobol-picture-clause-charecters/)

## Top Benefits of COBOL ‘MOVE’ Reserved Word

- We can move a smaller field to a bigger field
- We **cannot move** a bigger field to a smaller field. If so, the value will be truncated.

Related[Editing Vs Decimal Data types: Top COBOL Move Statements](https://srinimf.com/2015/12/29/one-check-list-for-cobol-tricky-move-statements/)

### #1: [How to](https://srinimf.com/2011/10/06/db2-spufi-comparison-timestamp/) Move Alphanumeric Value

```
01 var-1 pic x(10) value ‘RAMANA’
01 var-2 pix x(10).
MOVE var-1 to var-2.
```

Result in var-2=> ‘RAMANA’

### #2: How to Move Numeric Value

Example-1

```
01 var-1 pic x(10) value ‘1234’
01 var-2 pix x(10).
   MOVE var-1 to var-2.
```

Result in var-2=> ‘1234’

Example-2

```
01 var-1 pic 9(10) value 1234
01 var-2 pix 9(10).
   MOVE var-1 to var-2.
```

Result in var-2=> ‘0000001234’

### #3: How to Move Decimal Value

```
01 var-1  pic 9(4)v9(2) value 1234.56
01 var-2  pix 9(4)v9(2).
   MOVE var-1 to var-2.
```

Result in var-2 =>123456

**[How de](https://srinimf.com/2015/09/29/how-de-editing-works-in-cobol-85/)cimal move happens**

```
1234.56
Before point => Right to left         1<<2<<3<<4
After point ==>Left to right         5>>6
```

**Notes on MOVE statement**

- Use Value clauses to initialize fields in working storage whenever that’s possible.
- Use **Move or Initialize statements to re-initialize fields whenever that’s necessary**.
- Don’t use Initialize statements to initialize large tables or record descriptions that don’t need to be initialized.

Related Posts

- [Editing Vs Decimal Data types: Top COBOL Move Statements](https://srinimf.com/2015/12/29/one-check-list-for-cobol-tricky-move-statements/)DateDecember 29, 2015
- [COBOL Moving Decimal to Numeric Best Example](https://srinimf.com/2016/02/09/cobol-solution-decimal-move-to-numeric/)DateFebruary 9, 2016
- [19 Top COBOL Performance Tuning Ideas](https://srinimf.com/2017/01/07/the-19-best-informative-cobol-really-useful-tuning-tips/)DateJanuary 7, 2017

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