# format() Function & Examples

Use the format() utils function in Calcul.io. Review its syntax, edit working examples, understand the result, and explore related math functions.

## format

#### format(value)

#### format(value, precision)

Try it yourself:

```calculio
format(2.3)
format(3 - 4i)
format([])
format(pi, 3)
```

[print](https://calcul.io/function/print/index.md)

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## Present values clearly with format

**format(value)** converts a value into a readable textual representation. It is useful for reports, labels, and calculator output where raw numeric precision or matrix syntax is not the desired presentation.

## Formatting versus calculation

Format changes how a value is displayed, not its mathematical meaning. Perform arithmetic with the original value using [add](https://calcul.io/function/add/index.md) or [multiply](https://calcul.io/function/multiply/index.md), then format at the boundary where text is needed. Use [round](https://calcul.io/function/round/index.md) when the numeric value itself should be rounded before display.

## Practical notes

Formatted output may no longer behave as a number in later expressions. Keep units and significant figures explicit, especially for very large or small values. [print](https://calcul.io/function/print/index.md) can help inspect values during a workflow, while [typeOf](https://calcul.io/function/typeOf/index.md) confirms whether a result is still numeric.

[All functions](https://calcul.io/functions/index.md)