Welcome to the master reference guide for Numeric Formats.
While formulas calculate the actual data in the background, Numeric Formats control exactly how that final number looks to your users on the screen. For example, you can use these formatting codes to automatically turn a plain 1500.5 into a readable $1,500.50, or turn 0.15 into 15%.
How to read this guide:
Format Symbol: The specific character or symbol you type into your formatting settings.
Description: The technical action the system takes.
Purpose & Example: Why you would use it, and what the final output looks like.
Standard Digits & Decimals
Use these symbols to control exactly how many numbers are displayed, forcing uniformity across all your records.
Format Symbol | Description | Purpose & Example |
0 | Zero placeholder — pads with 0 if there is no digit. | Standardizing lengths: Forces a number to show a specific number of digits. Great for creating uniform invoice numbers.
Format 0000 applied to 42 outputs: 0042 |
# | Digit placeholder — shows nothing if there is no digit. | Clean formatting: Shows a digit if it exists, but doesn't force an unnecessary zero. Keeps standard measurements neat.
Format #.## applied to 15.500 outputs: 15.5 |
. | Decimal point | Precision: Defines exactly where the decimal point drops. Essential for calculating dollars and cents.
Format 0.00 applied to 15 outputs: 15.00 |
Separators & Scaling
Use these to make massive numbers much easier to read at a glance.
Format Symbol | Description | Purpose & Example |
, | Group separator (between digit placeholders). | Readability: Adds commas to large numbers.
Format #,### applied to 1000000 outputs: 1,000,000 |
, (trailing) | Number scaling -- divides the number by 1,000 per comma. | Financial summaries: Simplifies massive numbers into thousands or millions for high-level reporting.
Format 0.0, applied to 1500000 outputs: 1.5 (representing 1.5 million) |
Percentages & Mathematics
Use these for rate calculations or highly technical scientific data.
Format Symbol | Description | Purpose & Example |
% | Percentage -- multiplies the value by 100 and outputs a % sign. | Rates & Margins: Automatically formats decimals into standard percentages.
Format 0% applied to 0.15 outputs: 15% |
E0, E+0, E-0 | Uppercase exponential (scientific notation). | Scientific data: Used for engineering or scientific forms where users are calculating extremely massive or microscopic numbers.
Format 0.0E0 applied to 1500 outputs: 1.5E3 |
e0, e+0, e-0 | Lowercase exponential (scientific notation). | Same as above, but outputs a lowercase "e". The + or - dictates if the sign is always shown or only shown on negatives. |
Text, Characters & Escaping
Use these symbols to seamlessly blend text (like units of measurement or currency symbols) directly into your final number output.
Format Symbol | Description | Purpose & Example |
\ | Escape -- next character is output as a literal character. | Bypassing rules: Allows you to print a special character as normal text. If you want to display a hashtag next to a number, you use this so the system doesn't confuse it for the # digit placeholder.
Format \#00 applied to 5 outputs: #05 |
...' or "..." | Literal string delimiter (single or double quotes). | Adding labels: Lets you insert specific text directly before or after the number.
Format "Total: "0 applied to 150 outputs: Total: 150 |
Any other char | Output unchanged as a literal string. | Adding units: Standard letters and symbols pass through exactly as typed. This is the easiest way to append units.
Format $0.00 USD applied to 15 outputs: $15.00 USD |