Numeric formatting symbols
The following table lists the symbols you can use to specify a numeric format.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| # | A digit that uses a space as the fill character for a leading zero (unless the < character is also present). |
| * | A digit that uses an asterisk (*) as the fill character for a leading zero (unless the < character is also present). |
| & | A digit that uses a zero as the fill character for a leading zero (unless the < character is also present). |
| < | Left justify the number. Leading zeros are not represented in the output. |
| , | Use a locale-dependent numeric separator unless the position contains a leading zero. |
| . | Use a locale-dependent decimal point. |
| - | Use a minus sign (-) for values less than 0; use a space for values greater than or equal to 0. |
| + | Use a minus sign for values less than 0; use a plus sign (+) for values greater than or equal to 0. |
| (...) | Enclose negative values with parentheses. The positions of the parentheses in the format string determine their positions in the result. |
| $ | Precede the value with the locale-dependent currency symbol. This symbol is useful only when you place it at the beginning of the pattern. |
| @ | Place the locale-dependent currency symbol after the value. |
Examples
In the table below, the letter "b" represents a blank space.
| Format String | Data Value | Formatted Result | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| "#####" | 0 | bbbbb | No zero symbol |
| "&&&&&" | 0 | 00000 | |
| "$$$$$" | 0 | bbbb$ | No zero symbol |
| "*****" | 0 | ***** | No zero symbol |
| "<<<<<" | 0 | (empty string) | |
| "<<<,<<<" | 12345 | 12,345 | |
| "<<<,<<<" | 1234 | 1,234 | |
| "<<<,<<<" | 123 | 123 | |
| "<<<,<<<" | 12 | 12 | |
| "##,###" | 12345 | 12,345 | |
| "##,###" | 1234 | b1,234 | |
| "##,###" | 123 | bbb123 | |
| "##,###" | 12 | bbbb12 | |
| "##,###" | 1 | bbbbb1 | |
| "##,###" | -1 | bbbbb1 | No negative sign |
| "&&,&&&" | 12345 | 12,345 | |
| "&&,&&&" | 1234 | 01,234 | |
| "&&,&&&" | 123 | 000123 | |
| "&&,&&&" | 12 | 000012 | |
| "&&,&&&" | 1 | 000001 | |
| "&&,&&&" | -1 | 000001 | No negative sign |
| "&&,&&&" | 0 | 000000 | |
| "&&,&&&.&&" | 12345.67 | 12,345.67 | |
| "&&,&&&.&&" | 1234.56 | 01,234.56 | |
| "&&,&&&.&&" | 123.45 | 000123.45 | |
| "&&,&&&.&&" | 0.01 | 000000.01 | |
| "$$,$$$" | 12345 | ****** | Overflow |
| "$$,$$$" | 1234 | $1,234 | |
| "$$,$$$" | 123 | bb$123 | |
| "$$,$$$" | 12 | bbb$12 | |
| "$$,$$$" | 1 | bbbb$1 | |
| "$$,$$$" | 0 | bbbbb$ | No zero symbol |