=FORMATNUM

The =FORMATNUM function formats a numeric value into a specific display format. Useful for controlling decimal places, thousands separators, and percentages in reports, forms, and workflow outputs.

Unlike the older =FORMAT function, which guessed whether a value was a date or a number, =FORMATNUM always treats the value as a number. If the value is not a valid number, the result is blank.

Syntax

=FORMATNUM(FormatString; Number)

Parameters

• FormatString – The desired numeric format (e.g., 0.00 for two decimal places).

• Number – The value you want to format.

Example

=FORMATNUM(0.00; =CALC([[Field: Number 1 (Text)]] + [[Field: Number 2 (Text)]]))

• If the sum of the numbers is 11, the result will display as 11.00.

Optional Language Setting

You can add a language/region code after the format string, separated by a comma, to display numbers using that region’s conventions:

=FORMATNUM(N2, de-DE; 1234.5)

• The result will return 1.234,50 (German formatting).

• If no language code is provided, your account’s language setting is used (defaulting to English/US).

Common Numeric Format Specifiers

“0” - Digit placeholder. Displays a digit, or 0 if there is no digit in that position.
”#” - Digit placeholder. Displays a digit only if one exists in that position.
”.” - Sets the location of the decimal point.
”,” - Adds thousands separators.
”%” - Multiplies the value by 100 and displays a percent sign.
”N0”, “N2” - Shorthand for a number with thousands separators and the given number of decimal places.
”C” - Shorthand for currency.
”P0”, “P1” - Shorthand for a percentage with the given number of decimal places.

Examples

0.00 with a value of 11 = 11.00
#,##0 with a value of 1234567.89 = 1,234,568
#,##0.00 with a value of 1234.5 = 1,234.50
0% with a value of 0.25 = 25%
N2 with a value of 1234.5 = 1,234.50
C with a value of 1234.5 = $1,234.50

Usage Notes

• Only works with numeric values. If the value is not a valid number, the result will be blank.

• To format dates, use =FORMATDATE instead.

• Semicolons (;) separate the format string and value.

• Formula functions are case sensitive and must be in ALL CAPS.

• Replaces the number formatting behavior of the older =FORMAT function.

Keywords

FORMATNUM, format number, numeric formatting, decimal places, thousands separator, percentage format, currency format, display format, workflow formulas, calculated value formatting, process field formatting, formula function