Transforming data - bonus lesson

Formating numbers

When working with partners and external systems, it’s common to receive data that doesn’t quite match the format you require. The Format numbers step transforms values into whatever custom numeric value you require. 

How to use the step

  1. Drag a Format numbers step onto the canvas. 
  2. Select the columns you want to reformat. 
  3. Specify an updated format for the column values. 
  4. Click the three dots next to your format selection to access advanced settings such as number of decimal places, currency symbols, and rounding options. 

Pro tip

  • Unlike traditional spreadsheets that require data types to be specified per column, Parabola handles this automatically.
  • If you ever run into an Invalid Format issue while using an Add math column step (which we’ll go over in the next lesson), use the Format numbers step before the calculation to ensure the data is properly formatted.

Visit our support docs to learn more about the step. 

Next lesson

Using the Format Number Step in Parabola

When working with partners and external systems, data often doesn’t arrive in the exact format you need. The Format Number step ensures that your numeric data is clean and standardized every time.

How the Format Number Step Works

With this step, you can:
Specify columns that need formatting
Convert numbers into standard formats (e.g., currency, decimals, whole numbers)
Ensure data consistency before performing calculations

Example: Formatting Line Item Prices

In this example, the Line Item Price column:

  • Lacks a currency sign
  • Has inconsistent decimal places

To fix this:

  1. Select the Line Item Price column.
  2. Choose a format:
    • Set to currency with two decimal places.
  3. Click "Show Updated Results" → Now every price has a currency symbol and two decimals.

If the preset formats don’t cover your needs, click the three dots for additional options:

  • Customize decimal places
  • Choose a currency symbol
  • Format thousands separators

Key Differences: Parabola vs. Excel

Unlike Excel, Parabola doesn’t require predefined data types (e.g., text, number, date).

  • You can perform math on any numeric column without manually converting data types.
  • Parabola automatically detects numbers and dates—no need to set them manually.

Pro Tip: Preventing Errors in Math Steps

If you’re using steps like:

  • Add Math Column
  • Sum by Group
  • Count by Group

…and encounter errors due to unexpected values (e.g., hidden characters, spaces, or non-numeric data), use Format Number beforehand to clean the column.

Try It Yourself!

Test the Format Number step in the building challenge below, and let us know if you have any questions! 🚀