Convert column value to int in SQL Server -

i working on query , returning exception cannot convert varchar int:

 select bg_priority, count(*) cnt   bug   bg_target_rel= case when isnumeric('xxxx 13.5') = 1   cast('xxxx 13.5' int) else 'xxxx 13.5' end   group bg_priority    

this query generated c# code. clause filter can numeric or string 1 user chooses type of filter he/she wants , according gives value.

is there approach can add type of filter in query?

if column types int , varchar, can use this:

select bg_priority, count(*) cnt  bug  <chosencolumn> = 'inputvalue' group bg_priority; 

this works using sql server's implicit data type precedence conversions. if int, input value, '123' converted number 123 (exactly want!). if column varchar, quoted value remains varchar.

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your original cast error stems fact case statement results in 1 datatype , 1 only, using same data type precedence rules linked above. consider branches:

case when isnumeric('xxxx 13.5') = 1      cast('xxxx 13.5' int)      --<< branch returns int      else 'xxxx 13.5'                   --<< branch returns varchar      end        >> data type precedence ==>  resultant type of expression "int" 

when give value 'xxxx 13.5', case statement results in 'xxxx 13.5', needs cast case expression resultant type, i.e. int => fail.