---
title: "Format Transform"
---
# Format Transform
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The Format Transform applies a format string to the value returned from the binding, allowing you to format the way the output is displayed. Typically this applies to a date or number format. The return type for all Format Transforms is a string.
When configuring a Format Transform, you'll see different settings based on the Format Type selected:
- **Datetime**: A date will be formatted to appear a certain way.
- **Numeric**: A number will be formatted to appear a certain way.
Format (Numeric only)
- **Pattern**: Applies a number pattern based on the Format Pattern entry. The option is helpful when wanting to add leading zeros on a display.
* **Format Pattern**: Uses `0` and `#` to set the pattern.
- **Integer**: Rounds input (float) to integer.
- **Number**: Formats number based on Locale setting, and will then place the commas or other number separators as applicable.
- **Percent**: Converts the input number into percent. For example, 0.123 would format to 12.3%.
- **Currency**: Uses the currency specified by the Locale setting.
Format (Datetime only)
- **Pattern**: Custom date format string. For example, `M/D/YYYY h:m:s a`.
- **Date**: Date only will be shown.
- **Time**: Time only will be shown.
- **Datetime**: Date and Time will be shown.
Date (Datetime only)
- **Full**: Example format - Monday, March 18, 2019.
- **Long**: Example format - March 18, 2019.
- **Medium**: Example format - Mar 18, 2019.
- **Short**: Example format - 3/18/19.
Time (Datetime only)
- **Full**: Example Format - 2:02:46 PM Pacific Standard Time.
- **Long**: Example format - 2:02:46 PM PST.
- **Medium**: Example format - 2:02:46 PM.
- **Short**: Example format - 2:02 PM.
Locale
- **auto**: Default time zone of Session. Use the dropdown to select a different language.
Time Zone (Datetime only)
- **auto**: Default time zone of Session. Use the dropdown to select a different time zone.
See the [Data Type Formatting Reference](appendix\reference-pages\data-type-formatting-reference\data-type-formatting-reference.md) page for more information.
## Examples
### Numeric Pattern
In the image below, an expression on a Tag binding is retrieving the value from a tag. As shown in the preview, the value on the tag shows **-35.893925**.
The Format Transform is taking that tag value, then applying a numeric pattern of **#.00**, which denotes that two digits must always be shown after the decimal point. As a result, the preview shows a Format value of **-35.89**, since any digits beyond the first two decimal places are ignored by the transform.
### Datetime Short, Short, Time Zone Adjusted
The image below is taking a Unix timestamp value (including milliseconds) of **1551823366022**, and turning it into a human readable date (set to Japan's time zone) of **3/6/19, 7:02 AM**.
