TO_CHAR (number)

TO_CHAR(number) converts a numeric expression to a text value in the database character set.

Return Value

VARCHAR2

Syntax

TO_CHAR(n [, fmt [, 'nlsparam' ] ])

Arguments

n is a numeric expression to be converted.

fmt is a text expression that identifies a number format model as described in the Oracle Database SQL Language Reference.

nlsparam specifies the characters that are returned by these number format elements:

• Decimal character

• Group separator

• Local currency symbol

• International currency symbol

This argument has the format shown here:

'NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS = ''dg''
 NLS_CURRENCY = ''text''
 NLS_ISO_CURRENCY = territory '

The characters d and g represent the decimal character and group separator, respectively. They must be different single-byte characters. Within the quoted string, use two single quotation marks around the parameter values. Ten characters are available for the currency symbol.

If you omit this argument or any of the NLS parameters, then this function uses the default values for your session.

Examples

TO_CHAR(1234567, 'C9G999G999D99') returns a text string such as USD1,234,567.00.

TO_CHAR(1234567, 'C9G999G999D99', 'NLS_ISO_CURRENCY = SPAIN') returns the text string EUR1,234,567.00.