Preamble
The PostgreSQL to_number function converts a string into a number.
Syntax of to_number function in PostgreSQL
to_number( string1, format_mask )
Parameters and function arguments
- string1 – A string that will be converted to a number.
- format_mask – The format that will be used to convert string1 to a number. This can be one of the following and can be used in many combinations.
| Parameter | Explanation |
| 9 | Value (without initial zeroes) |
| 0 | Value (with leading zeros) |
| . | Decimal |
| , | Group splitter |
| PR | A negative value in angle brackets |
| С | Symbol |
| L | Symbol of currency |
| D | Decimal |
| G | Group splitter |
| MI | Minus sign (for negative numbers) |
| PL | Sign plus (for positive numbers) |
| SG | A plus/minus sign (for positive and negative numbers) |
| RN | Roman numerals |
| TH | Serial number suffix |
| th | Serial number suffix |
| V | Shift in numbers |
| EEEE | Scientific notation |
The to_number function can be used in the following PostgreSQL versions
PostgreSQL 11, PostgreSQL 10, PostgreSQL 9.6, PostgreSQL 9.5, PostgreSQL 9.4, PostgreSQL 9.3, PostgreSQL 9.2, PostgreSQL 9.1, PostgreSQL 9.0, PostgreSQL 8.4.
Let’s look at some examples of to_number functions to see how to_number can be used in PostgreSQL.
For example:
SELECT to_number('1234.73', '9999.99');
--Result: 1234.73
SELECT to_number('1,234.73', '9G999.99');
--Result: 1234.73
SELECT to_number('1,234.73', 'L9G999.99');
--Result: 1234.73
SELECT to_number('$1,234.73', 'L9G999'); - Result: 1234.73;
--Result: 1234
PostgreSQL tutorial; functions
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