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Numeric Formats

This topic describes numeric formats that you can use with the Set String Format method.

Predefined Numeric Formats

Table 11 describes the predefined numeric formats that you can use.

Custom Numeric Formats

You can use one or more digit characters to create a simple custom numeric format. You can use the following digit characters:

• 0 (zero). Displays a corresponding digit in the output.
• (#) number sign. If the digit is significant, then it displays it in the output. A significant digit is a digit that resides in the middle of the number or is not zero.

Table 12 includes examples of using zero and the number (#) sign.

You can use a decimal separator as an option.

A comma instructs Siebel VB to place a comma between every three digits that occur to the left of the decimal separator.

Table 13 includes examples of using a comma.

Siebel VB uses the current international settings for your computer to determine the character to display for a comma or a period. For example, some locales use a period as the decimal separator. Other locales use a comma.

Scaling Numbers

You can do one of the following to scale a number:

• Insert one or more commas before the decimal separator. Each comma that precedes the decimal separator divides the number by 1000. if you do not specify a decimal separator, then this configuration applies to all digits. Siebel CRM does not include a comma in the output string.
• Include a percentage symbol (%) in the format argument. A percentage symbol multiplies the number by 100. Siebel CRM includes the percentage symbol in the output string in the same position where it occurs in the format argument.

Table 14 includes examples of using a comma or a percentage symbol to scale numbers.

Inserting Characters In Number Formats

To insert a character in a number in the output string, you enclose the character in double quotes in the format argument. You can also insert a set of characters. Siebel VB inserts the following characters in the output string in a location that matches the position in the format argument:

-  + $ ( space

You can precede the character with a backslash (\) to insert a single character.

Table 15 includes examples of using double quotes and backslahes to insert characters.

You can use the Get ANSI String method to insert a quotation mark (") in a format argument. The character code for a quotation mark is 34. For more information, see Get ANSI String Method.

Scientific Notation Formats

You can include one of the following exponent strings in the format argument to format a number in scientific notation:

• E-
• E +
• e-
• e +

Siebel VB displays this notation in the following ways:

• An uppercase e. An uppercase e displays in the output.
• A lowercase e. A lowercase e displays in the output.
• A minus sign that follows an uppercase e. A minus sign precedes any negative exponent that displays in the output.
• A plus sign. A sign always precedes the exponent in the output.

You precede the exponent string with one or more digit characters. The number of digit characters that following the exponent string determines the number of exponent digits that occur in the output.

Table 16 includes examples of using exponential notation.

Using Sections In a Numeric Format

A numeric format can include up to four sections. A semicolon (;) separates each section. The format varies depending on the number of sections you specify:

• One section. This section applies to every value.
• Two sections:
  • The first section applies to positive values and zeros.
  • The second section applies to negative values.
• Three sections:
  • The first section applies to positive values.
  • The second section applies to negative values.
  • The third section applies to zeros.

    If you include semicolons with nothing between them, then Siebel VB uses the format of the first section to print the undefined section.

• Four sections. Same as three sections, except the fourth section applies to Null values. If you do not include the fourth section, and if the input expression results in a NULL value, then Siebel VB returns an empty string.

Table 17 includes examples of using sections.