To specify a format for numeric values, select Format from the data item menu.
Format Type determines the other options available for formatting. The choices are:
•Auto – no other options are active because the system will format the number automatically
•General – no other options are active; the system will choose the most compact way of expressing the number, choosing between fixed decimal point or scientific notation, based on the number
•Number – formats the number as a fixed decimal point, allowing you to specify the unit, precision, and whether to include a separator every three places to the left of the decimal point
•Currency – formats the number as money, allow you to specify the unit, precision, currency type, and whether to include a separator
•Scientific – formats the number using scientific notation, allowing you to specify only the precision
•Percentage = formats the number as a percent, automatically multiplying the number by 100 and allowing you to specify the precision and whether to include a separator
Unit allows you to specify the unit of measure for Number and Currency format types. The choices are:
•Auto – allows the system to determine the unit of measure; usually it is “thousands,” but will vary depending upon the set of numbers being displayed
•Ones – displays the number with no rounding to the left of the decimal point
•Thousands – displays the number in thousands with a “K” following it; some rounding may occur
•Millions – displays the number in millions with an “M” following it; rounding may occur
•Billions – displays the number in billions with a “B” following it; rounding may occur
Precision allows you to specify the number of digits to the right of the decimal point for Number and Currency formats when the unit is not set to Auto. It is always available for the Scientific and Percent format types.
Currency allows you to override the default currency localization option and specify the currency locale manually.
Currency Culture allows you to specify which culture preferences to use within a currency type that spans more than one culture. The Euro, for example, spans many European cultures, and you can select one with this option.
Include Group Separator allows you to turn on or off the commas that separate every three digits to the left of the decimal point. It is available for the Number, Currency, and Percent format types.