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You can watch this Parabola University video for a quick intro to the Format numbers step.

How to use the Format numbers step

  1. Choose the number columns you want to format
    • Format these columns – Select specific columns to apply formatting to.
    • Format all columns except – Select specific columns to exclude from formatting.
  2. Select a formatting option
    • Choose from the dropdown list.
    • Click the ellipses ... to customize options such as comma grouping, number of decimal places, and rounding.
    • Check the Invert number (+/-) box to switch positive numbers to negative and vice versa.
  3. Add multiple formatting rules
    • Click Add Format Rule to create more than one rule within the same step.
    • Rules apply in top-down order.

Formatting options

Numbers

Use Numbers formatting to remove symbols and standardize values.
Example: $4000 becomes 4000.
Settings:
  • Comma grouping – Choose whether to add commas every thousand.
  • Decimals – Set the number of decimal places to display.
  • Rounding – Round to the nearest value, round down, or round up.

Percents

Settings:
  • Comma grouping – Add commas every thousand if needed.
  • Decimals – Set the number of decimal places to display.
  • Rounding – Round to the nearest value, round down, or round up.

Currency

Settings:
  • Currency – Choose Dollars ($), Euros (€), Indian Rupees (₹), Pounds (£), or Yen (¥).
  • Decimals – Set the number of decimal places to display.
  • Rounding – Round to the nearest value, round down, or round up.

Accounting

Settings:
  • Currency – Choose Dollars ($), Euros (€), Indian Rupees (₹), Pounds (£), or Yen (¥).
  • Decimals – Set the number of decimal places to display.
  • Rounding – Round to the nearest value, round down, or round up.
Key difference:
  • Currency – Displays negative numbers with a minus sign (e.g., -5.00).
  • Accounting – Displays negative numbers in parentheses (e.g., ($5.00)).

Accounting format input support

The Format Numbers step can read and transform values already in accounting format (e.g., ($100) for negative numbers). This means you can convert accounting-formatted data directly into any other number format without needing a separate Find/Replace step. For example, ($7.00) can be reformatted directly to -$7.00, 7, or any other supported format.
To use this feature, add a fresh Format Numbers step from the superbar. Other steps in your flow may not recognize accounting format natively, so it’s best to convert accounting-formatted numbers early in your flow before working with them in other steps.
Last modified on February 25, 2026