Using Format Strings in the Finished Reports Expression Editor

Format strings can be used inside the Finished Reports Expression Editor to control how dates, numbers, and other values are displayed as part of an expression.

This is useful when formatting needs to be combined with expression logic or when label-level formatting does not provide enough control.

Expression-Level Format Strings

Finished Reports supports the FormatString() function for formatting values directly inside an expression.

For example:

FormatString('{0:MMMM dd, yyyy}', Today())

This produces a formatted text result such as:

January 22, 2026

Expression-level formatting is useful when the formatted value is part of a larger expression or when the output needs to be constructed dynamically.

Expression Formatting vs. Label Formatting

There is an important difference between formatting a value with FormatString() and applying a format directly to a Label.

Label Formatting

When formatting is applied directly to a Label, only the displayed value changes.

For example, a DateTime value may contain:

01/22/2026 00:00:00

A Label format can display the same value as:

January 22, 2026

The value remains a DateTime value even though its appearance has changed.

Expression Formatting

When FormatString() is used inside an expression, the expression returns formatted text.

For example:

FormatString('{0:MMMM dd, yyyy}', Today())

returns:

January 22, 2026

Because the expression result is formatted text, it should not be treated the same as the original DateTime or numeric value for later calculations, grouping, sorting, or other operations that depend on the original data type.

Note: Use Label formatting when you only need to change how a value is displayed. Use FormatString() when formatting needs to be part of the expression itself.

When to Use Expression-Level Formatting

Expression-level formatting can be useful for:

Combining formatted values with other expression logic
Creating custom text output
Formatting values that are intended primarily for display
Producing output that cannot be created using Label formatting alone

For most standard date, number, currency, or percentage formatting, applying the format directly to the Label is usually simpler.

Example Format Strings

Long Date

Expression:

FormatString('{0:MMMM dd, yyyy}', Today())

Example result:

January 22, 2026

ISO Date

Expression:

FormatString('{0:yyyy-MM-dd}', Today())

Example result:

2026-01-22

Phone Number

Expression:

FormatString('{0:(000) 000 - 0000}', ToLong([Phone Number]))

Example result:

(219) 689 - 6964

Step 1: Open the Finished Reports Designer

Open or create the View, run it, and open the Finished Reports Designer.

Step 2: Add a Label and Open the Expression Editor

Add a Label to the report.

Select the Label and open its Expression Editor.

Step 3: Create the Expression

Build the expression using the FormatString() function.

For example:

FormatString('{0:MMMM dd, yyyy}', Today())

Step 4: Preview the Results

Select Preview and compare the formatted and unformatted values.

In the current example:

The first Label uses FormatString() with Today()
The second Label uses Today() without formatting

Example results:

Format String

January 22, 2026

No Format String

01/22/2026 00:00:00

Step 5: Save the Report

After confirming the formatted output, save the Finished Report.

Additional Examples

Date

FormatString('{0:MM/dd/yyyy}', [Date_Listed])

Currency

FormatString('{0:c2}', [Account_Balance])

Expression-Level Format Strings