Provided are techniques for interpreting invalid data that is a portion of a data set as valid data. A request is received to convert data from a first format to a second format for an application, wherein the data is a portion of a data set. It is determined that the data is invalid, wherein the invalid data cannot be processed by the application in the first format. It is determined whether the invalid data is to be interpreted as valid based on a flag. In response to determining that the invalid data is to be interpreted as valid, setting the invalid data to a new value in the second format that can be processed by the application.