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VBA · Syntax

Format

Formats a number or date as text, like TEXT in a sheet.

CommonDifficulty 1100 · Proficient
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When to use it

Format converts numbers and dates to text with a format string, the VBA version of TEXT. Used for messages, file names, and labels.

The code

Code
Format(Date, "yyyy-mm-dd")
Format(x, "#,##0.00")

Worked examples

  • ISO date

    Format(Date, "yyyy-mm-dd") → "2026-09-06"

    Sortable date text for file names.

  • Number

    Format(x, "#,##0.00") → "12,345.68"

    Number with separators.

  • Percent

    Format(0.256, "0.0%") → "25.6%"

    Percent.

Worth knowing

  • Named formats: "Currency", "Standard", "Percent", "Short Date".
  • The result is text; keep the number for math.
  • Format uses the system locale for month names.

Where it goes wrong

  • Format(5, "0.00") returns text, which sorts as text.
  • Locale differences change the output on other machines.

Related

Sub proceduresFunction proceduresCommentsLine continuationString functionsDate functions

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