TO_CHAR (number)

Syntax

to_char_number::=

Text description of to_char_number

Purpose

TO_CHAR (number) converts n of NUMBER datatype to a value of VARCHAR2 datatype, using the optional number format fmt. If you omit fmt, then n is converted to a VARCHAR2 value exactly long enough to hold its significant digits.

The 'nlsparam' specifies these characters that are returned by number format elements:

• Decimal character
• Group separator
• Local currency symbol
• International currency symbol

This argument can have this form:

'NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS = ''dg''
   NLS_CURRENCY = ''text''
   NLS_ISO_CURRENCY = territory '

The characters d and g represent the decimal character and group separator, respectively. They must be different single-byte characters. Note that within the quoted string, you must use two single quotation marks around the parameter values. Ten characters are available for the currency symbol.

If you omit 'nlsparam' or any one of the parameters, then this function uses the default parameter values for your session.

See Also: "Format Models" for information on number formats

Examples

The following statement uses implicit conversion to interpret a string and a number into a number:

SELECT TO_CHAR('01110' + 1) FROM dual;

TO_C
----
1111

Compare this example with the first example for TO_CHAR (character).

In the next example, the output is blank padded to the left of the currency symbol.

SELECT TO_CHAR(-10000,'L99G999D99MI') "Amount"
     FROM DUAL;

Amount
--------------
  $10,000.00-

SELECT TO_CHAR(-10000,'L99G999D99MI',
   'NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS = '',.''
   NLS_CURRENCY = ''AusDollars'' ') "Amount"
     FROM DUAL;

Amount
-------------------
AusDollars10.000,00-

Note: In the optional number format fmt, L designates local currency symbol and MI designates a trailing minus sign. See Table 2-13 for a complete listing of number format elements.