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Set custom number format for docs

Learn how to change the default number format for both existing docs and for all your future docs

Updated yesterday

Depending on where you live and work, you may wish to change the format of numbers in your doc from Coda’s default. Once customized, this formatting will be respected in any number columns or numerical formula outputs in your doc’s tables. In this article, we’ll explain how to change the number format for individual docs, as well as how to modify your account settings to change the format for all future docs you create.

Within this article, you’ll find...


Set custom number format for existing docs

If you want to change the number formatting for existing docs or for only a subset of your docs, follow these steps:

  1. Open the doc you want to modify

  2. Click on the gear icon in the upper right corner

  3. Click on the Region option

  4. Select the Numbers tab. Use the dropdown to choose your customization.

  5. Click Apply to confirm the change

Any number columns (including currency columns) and numerical formula outputs in your doc should automatically show the updated format.

Set custom number format for all future docs

If you want all future Coda docs you create to reflect your custom number format, you just need to make an adjustment via your Coda account settings. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Within the New document defaults section, find the Number format setting

  2. Use the dropdown to select your default number format

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From now on, any docs you create will follow this formatting for all number-type table columns and for any numeric formula outputs (including canvas formulas). Note that this won't apply retroactively to existing docs. Follow the steps in the previous section to modify existing docs.

FAQs

Where does the custom number format show up in the doc?

The custom number format will apply to:

  1. Any number-type table columns, including currency columns (learn about column types here)

  2. Any formula outputs - whether on the canvas or within a table - that are formatted as numbers

Can I use the custom number format when writing formulas?

Coda’s formula language still accepts only the standard US number format as input. So even if you’ve set a custom number format for the doc, you will not be able to input numbers into a formula in your custom format. You will need to use the standard US format of . for the decimal separator and , for the thousands separator.

Does the custom number format apply to currency columns?

Yes, the number format will apply to currency columns, since these are technically a type of number column. Regardless of what currency type you’ve selected for the column, the column will still follow the custom number format for the doc.

Who has the ability to change the number format for a doc?

Any Doc Maker with edit access to the doc can change the number format for a doc. Learn more about Doc Maker abilities here.

Why doesn't the doc display the number format based on the preferences of the current user?

Currently, we only support custom number format on a doc-wide basis, rather than a per-user basis. For future updates, we’re considering how to better support international team scenarios where team members are distributed across countries or regions, and preferences for formatting varied.


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