Variables and Values

I just saw that you were using Captivate 7.  For Cp 7, try this code for swf published output:

document.Captivate.cpEISetValue('m_VarHandle.V_cost', decodeURIComponent('0.00%03'));

Try this:

If  V_cost is = 0 then Execute this JavaScript in the current window

window.cpAPIInterface.setVariableValue('V_cost', decodeURIComponent('0.00%03'));

The %03 is the encoded version of an ASCII end of text (ETX) device control character (an invisible character).  For SWF output, it lets the ActionScript know where the end of the text should be.  For HTML5 output, you never see it.  The decodeURIComponent() function takes the %03 and converts it to a real ETX character (the non encoded version).

It would be really nice to have the ability to type our Captivate user variables as strings or numbers... but at least we have JavaScript to overcome such limitations.

Captivate doesn't give you any real options to control decimals on numeric variables. I think you'll find that even if you put the number in as a literal with the decimals behind it Captivate will cut off the zeros anyway.  But you're welcome to try.

This is an area where Captivate could get a lot better.  Your alternative is to learn how to use JavaScript to perform these calculations and use your Advanced Actions to execute the JavaScript code.  Jim Leichliter has a good course on using JavaScript in Captivate.