Format Cheatsheet
A reference guide showing how the Format() function outputs different data types (DateTime, Date, Time, Guid, Decimal, Boolean, Option, Enum, Duration, RecordId, DateFormula) across nine format options (0-7 and 9), helping developers quickly find the correct format specification for their needs.
post Tech Adventures in Business Central | AL Development & AI Solutions
Key points
- Format() supports 9 different format codes (0-7 and 9) that produce different output styles for the same data type
- Each data type behaves differently with each format option; some combinations return N/A (no meaningful output)
- Format 3 returns GUID without curly braces; Format 4 returns GUID with hyphens; Format 5 returns GUID with parentheses
- Some formats are language-dependent and produce localized results like month names
- Format 9 returns ISO 8601 style output for DateTime and a fully qualified format for RecordId
Context
- Features: Format() function, DateTime formatting, Date formatting, Time formatting, GUID formatting, Decimal formatting, Boolean formatting, Duration formatting
Source: Tech Adventures in Business Central, community blog. Summary, key points and quotes are derived (CONTENT-NOTICE.md); read the original for the full text.