---
title: "Format Text Step"
slug: "format-text-step"
updated: 2025-07-09T18:43:53Z
published: 2025-07-09T18:43:53Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/format-text-step"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Format Text Step

| ## Step Details |
| --- |
| **Introduced in Version** | --- |
| **Modified in Version** | 7.12.0 |
| **Location** | Data > Text |

Utilizing the **Format** **Text** step (located under **Toolbox > DATA > TEXT**) allows users to format an **Object** in **Decisions** using **.NET String.Format** methodology. String.Format allows the ability to convert Object values into **Strings** via the provided **Format** **String**. For more information on how to use String.Format see [Microsoft: String.Format Method.](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.string.format?view=net-5.0#Starting)

---

## Properties

#### Input

| Property | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Input | Represents the Object that will be added to the Format String INPUT. | Object |
| Format String | String to manipulate using the Input. | String |

#### ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2021-07-27_10h43_18.png)

---

## Example

1. From **Decisions** **Studio**, select the CREATE FLOW button on the **Global** **Action** **Bar**. Then, CREATE a new **Flow**.
2. From the **Flow** **Designer**, from **Toolbox > FAVORITE STEP**S, attach a **Create** **Data** step to the **Start** step.
3. From the Create Data step's **Properties** tab, select SHOW EDITOR.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-23_12h57_18.png)
4. Provide a NAME (for this example "YearValue") for the **Data** **to** **Create**, then select **Int32 [Number]** from the TYPE drop-down, and define the INPUT as "2021".  **Save** the Data then close via **X**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2024-08-08_11h04_09.png)
5. Back in the Flow Designer, under **Toolbox > DATA > TEXT**, attach a **Format** **Text** step to the **Done** path of the Create Data. Then connect the Format Text step's Done path to the **End** step.
6. From the Properties tab of the Format Text step, **Select** **From** **Flow** map **YearValue** to **Input**.

More on Input The **Input** **Object** represents the **Object** that will be converted via the **Format** **String** INPUT. 

![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-23_12h59_23.png)
7. Still in the Properties of the Format Text step, **Constant** map the desired **Format** **String**.

Format String Configuration Input the following under Format String "The current year is .; "

![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-23_13h00_37.png)
8. Save the Flow, then if desired close via X.

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## Debug

1. From the **Flow** **Designer**, click the **Debug** link on the top **Action** **Bar**, then click START DEBUGGING.
2. After the **Flow** runs, select **Format Text 1 > Execution 1 > View Output Data**.About Debug ResultsThe resulting **Output** **Data** will display in the form of the **Format** **String** with the period character being replaced by define **Input**. 

![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-23_13h01_33.png)

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Related Information

Forum Posts: [What Does The Format Text Step Do?](https://community.decisions.com/discussion/25539/what-does-the-format-text-step-do)