Converting floating point data into integer data using a dynamically adjusted scale factor

The embodiments herein describe a conversion engine that converts floating point data into integer data using a dynamic scaling factor. To select the scaling factor, the conversion engine compares a default (or initial) scaling factor value to an exponent portion of the floating point value to determine a shift value with which to bit shift a mantissa of the floating point value. After bit shifting the mantissa, the conversion engine determines whether the shift value caused an overflow or an underflow and whether that overflow or underflow violates a predefined policy. If the policy is violated, the conversion engine adjusts the scaling factor and restarts the conversion process. In this manner, the conversion engine can adjust the scaling factor until identifying a scaling factor that converts all the floating point values in the batch without violating the policy.