When I’m working with VBA in Excel, formatting numbers can be crucial for readability and presentation. That’s where the VBA FORMATNUMBER function comes into play; it’s all about converting a raw number into a more display-friendly format. This handy function categorizes under the data type conversion family, providing a straightforward way to format numerical expressions as strings, ensuring that the data looks exactly how I need it to—whether that means including a certain number of decimal places, prepping numbers for parenthetical display when negative, or grouping digits for better visual comprehension.

Syntax

FormatNumber( Expression, [NumDigitsAfterDecimal], [IncludeLeadingDigit], [UseParensForNegativeNumbers], [GroupDigits] )
ArgumentDescriptionValues
ExpressionThe numeric value I’m formatting.
NumDigitsAfterDecimalDigits after the decimal point.Integer, vbUseDefault
IncludeLeadingDigitInclude a leading digit.vbTrue, vbFalse, vbUseDefault
UseParensForNegativeNumbersNegative numbers in parentheses.vbTrue, vbFalse
GroupDigitsGroup digits with commas.vbTrue, vbFalse, vbUseDefault
  • vbTrue generally represents a boolean true value.
  • vbFalse represents a boolean false value.
  • vbUseDefault lets the system use regional settings.

Arguments

When I use the FormatNumber function, my goal is to transform a numeric expression into a formatted string. Here’s the lowdown on the parameters I can tweak:

  • Expression: That’s the number I’m trying to shape up.
  • NumDigitsAfterDecimal (optional): Decides how many decimal places to show. Skip it, and it’s -1 by default, tailoring the decimals based on regional settings.
  • IncludeLeadingDigit:
    • vbFalse: No zero before the dot on numbers less than one.
    • vbTrue: Slap on a leading zero.
    • vbUseDefault: Let the system decide.

I get to choose whether to group digits or not with GroupDigits, using the local delimiter:

  • vbFalse: Leaves numbers ungrouped.
  • vbTrue: Adds those helpful separators between thousands and so on.
  • vbUseDefault: Follows the computer’s own rules.

Negative numbers get their own style, too, with UseParensForNegativeNumbers:

  • vbFalse: Just a simple minus sign.
  • vbTrue: Wraps them up nicely in parentheses.
  • vbUseDefault: Trusts the computer’s usual way of doing things.

And that’s about it. These arguments let me convey numbers precisely as needed.

Example

I recently put together a small snippet of VBA that demonstrates how handy the FormatNumber function can be. Here’s what I did:

Sub example_FORMATNUMBER()
    Range("B1").Value = FormatNumber(Range("A1"))
End Sub

In this case, the value in cell A1 gets formatted with the default number format and then shows up in cell B1. I didn’t use FormatCurrency or FormatPercent this time, but they work in a similar manner. Also, I didn’t need Debug.Print here, as the result is directly visible in the spreadsheet. It’s a simple yet effective way to ensure numbers look exactly how you need them.

Notes

  • Error Handling: I ensure the value I’m formatting is numeric to avoid a run-time 13 error.
  • Data Type: I remember the formatted expression is a string.
  • Regional Settings: My computer’s settings can affect number formats.
  • Default Formats: If I don’t specify a format, VBA uses the default.
  • Custom Formats: I can use custom patterns with commas, percentages, or currency symbols.
  • Functions: FormatNumber, FormatCurrency, and FormatPercent are my go-tos.
  • Arguments: I use parentheses to include optional arguments, like the number of decimal places.

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