---
title: Numerical formatting
description: Format numerical columns using predefined styles such as thousands separators, percentages, or custom patterns.
category: Data Transformation
tags: [number, formatting, decimal, percentage, cleanup]
---

# Numerical formatting

## Description

The **Numerical Formatting** activity applies user-defined formatting styles to numerical columns in a dataset. This is useful when preparing data for display, reporting, exports, or UI-based presentation.

You can choose from multiple formatting patterns such as comma separators, Indian numbering format, or percentage notation.

Use this activity to:

- Format raw numeric values for visual clarity
- Convert decimal values into percentages
- Prepare clean numeric outputs for Excel exports, dashboards, or reports

> **Use case**:  
> Convert large raw numbers into formatted figures like "500000" → "500,000" and decimal profits like "0.15" → "15%" for presentation.

## Input

| Input Type | Status   |
| ---------- | -------- |
| **Data**   | Required |

## Output

| Output Type | Format | Description                         |
| ----------- | ------ | ----------------------------------- |
| **Data**    | Table  | Data with formatted numeric columns |

## Configuration Fields

| Field Name           | Description                                                               |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Column Map**       | Select columns and assign a numeric formatting style to each.             |
| **Include Original** | Retains original column if enabled, otherwise returns only formatted one. |

### Supported Formats

- `Auto` – Automatically determines best-fit format
- `####` – No grouping or symbol, e.g., 500000
- `##,##` – Western number system (e.g., 500,000)
- `##,##,##` – Indian number format (e.g., 5,00,000)
- `Percentage (%)` – Multiplies by 100 and appends `%`
- `None` – No formatting

## Sample Input

| Product | Sales  | Profit |
| ------- | ------ | ------ |
| A       | 500000 | 0.15   |
| B       | 120000 | 0.20   |
| C       | 950000 | 0.05   |
| D       | 45000  | 0.12   |

## Sample Configuration

| Column   | Format           |
| -------- | ---------------- |
| `Sales`  | `##,##`          |
| `Profit` | `Percentage (%)` |

> Include Original: **Enabled**

## Sample Output

| Product | Sales   | Profit |
| ------- | ------- | ------ |
| A       | 500,000 | 15%    |
| B       | 120,000 | 20%    |
| C       | 950,000 | 5%     |
| D       | 45,000  | 12%    |