TO_CHAR (number conversion)

Syntax

Purpose

TO_CHAR converts n of NUMBER datatype to a value of VARCHAR2 datatype, using the optional number format fmt. If you omit fmt, n is converted to a VARCHAR2 value exactly long enough to hold its significant digits. For information on number formats, see "Format Models".

The 'nlsparams' 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 'nlsparams' or any one of the parameters, this function uses the default parameter values for your session.

Example 1

In this 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-

Example 2

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 2-7 for a complete listing of number format elements.