---
url: /technical/modlr-formats.md
description: >-
  The number-format pattern syntax used across MODLR - in NUMBERFORMAT(), the
  Format Number process node, formula-driven Set Instructions, and Cards - with
  the fixed Workview Set Instructions that shortcut the most common patterns.
---

# MODLR Number Formats

MODLR uses one number-format pattern syntax throughout the platform, not a different one per surface. The same pattern string works in [`NUMBERFORMAT`](/cube-functions/numberformat), the Format Number node in Visual Processes, formula-driven Set Instructions, and Card formulas.

## Full pattern reference

| Pattern | Example output |
| --- | --- |
| `#,##0` | `1,234,568` |
| `#,##0.0` | `1,234,567.9` |
| `#,##0.00` | `1,234,567.89` |
| `#,##0.000` | `1,234,567.890` |
| `#,##0.0000` | `1,234,567.8900` |
| `#,##0.00000` | `1,234,567.89000` |
| `#,##0k` | `1,235k` |
| `#,##0.0k` | `1,234.6k` |
| `#,##0.00k` | `1,234.57k` |
| `#,##0.000k` | `1,234.568k` |
| `#,##0m` | `1m` |
| `#,##0.0m` | `1.2m` |
| `#,##0.00m` | `1.23m` |
| `#,##0.000m` | `1.235m` |
| `#,##0b` | `1b` |
| `#,##0.0b` | `1.2b` |
| `#,##0.00b` | `1.23b` |
| `#,##0.000b` | `1.235b` |
| `0%` | `12%` |
| `0.0%` | `12.3%` |
| `0.00%` | `12.30%` |
| `0.000%` | `12.300%` |

## Regional separators

The comma and period in a pattern aren't fixed to grouping-comma and decimal-point - MODLR accepts a range of characters for each, so a pattern can match regional number formatting conventions instead of only the US style:

**Grouping separator**

| Character | Also known as |
| --- | --- |
| `,` | comma |
| `.` | period |
| `_` | underscore |
| `'` | apostrophe |
| `` ` `` | backtick |
| ` ` (U+0020) | space |
| ` ` (U+00A0) | non-breaking space |
| ` ` (U+2009) | thin space |
| ` ` (U+202F) | narrow no-break space |
| `،` (U+060C) | Arabic comma |
| `·` (U+00B7) | middle dot |

**Decimal separator**

| Character | Also known as |
| --- | --- |
| `.` | period |
| `,` | comma |
| `_` | underscore |
| `:` | colon |
| `،` (U+060C) | Arabic comma |
| `·` (U+00B7) | middle dot |

For example, a European-style pattern using `.` for grouping and `,` for decimals is written the same way the `#,##0.00` examples above are, just with the two characters swapped.

## Set Instructions shorthand

In a Workview, the [Data Formatting](/set-instructions/data-formatting) instructions are named shortcuts for the most common patterns above - pick the instruction instead of typing the pattern:

| Set Instruction | Pattern |
| --- | --- |
| [Format 0,000](/set-instructions/format-0-000) | `#,##0` |
| [Format 0,000.0](/set-instructions/format-0-000-0) | `#,##0.0` |
| [Format 0,000.00](/set-instructions/format-0-000-00) | `#,##0.00` |
| [Format 0,000.000](/set-instructions/format-0-000-000) | `#,##0.000` |
| [Format 0,000.0000](/set-instructions/format-0-000-0000) | `#,##0.0000` |
| [Format 0,000.00000](/set-instructions/format-0-000-00000) | `#,##0.00000` |
| [Format 0%](/set-instructions/format-0-percent) | `0%` |
| [Format 0.0%](/set-instructions/format-0-0-percent) | `0.0%` |
| [Format 0.00%](/set-instructions/format-0-00-percent) | `0.00%` |
| [Format 0.000%](/set-instructions/format-0-000-percent) | `0.000%` |

There's no named Set Instruction for the `k`/`m`/`b` abbreviated patterns - reach for [Apply Number Formatting Using Formula](/set-instructions/apply-number-formatting-using-formula) with the raw pattern instead when a Workview needs one of those.

## Where these patterns are used

* **Set Instructions** - the fixed `Format` instructions above use a pattern internally; [Apply Number Formatting Using Formula](/set-instructions/apply-number-formatting-using-formula) takes a pattern directly, computed by formula.
* **Cube Formulas** - [`NUMBERFORMAT(value, pattern)`](/cube-functions/numberformat) formats a number inline within any formula.
* **Visual Processes** - the Format Number node takes the same pattern as its `Format` input.
* **Cards** - display components (Text, Input, and others that render a value) have their own **Format** property that takes a pattern directly - the usual way to get the same formatting a Workview's `Format 0,000` would produce. `NUMBERFORMAT(value, pattern)` is the alternative for a component without a Format property, or when the pattern itself needs to be computed conditionally rather than fixed.