Windows PowerShell Quick Reference

.NET String Formatting

String Formatting Syntax

The format string supported by the format (-f ) operator is a string that contains format items. Each format item takes the form of:

{index[,alignment][:formatString]}

<index> represents the zero-based index of the item in the object array following the format operator.

<alignment> is optional, and represents the alignment of the item. A positive number aligns the item to the right of a field of the specified width. A negative number aligns the item to the left of a field of the specifed width.

<formatString> is optional, and formats the item using to that type’s specific format string syntax (as laid out below.)

Standard Numeric Format Strings

All format specifiers may be followed by a number between 0 and 99 to control the precision of the formatting.

Standard Numeric Format Strings
Format Specifier	Name	Description	Example
C or c	Currency	A currency amount.	PS >"{0:C}" -f 1.23 $1.23
D or d	Decimal	A decimal amount (for integral types.) The precision specifier controls the minimum number of digits in the result.	PS >"{0:D4}" -f 2 0002
E or e	Scientific	Scientific (exponential) notation. The precision specifier controls the number of digits past the decimal point.	PS >"{0:E3}" -f [Math]::Pi 3.142E+000
F or f	Fixed-point	Fixed point notation. The precision specifier controls the number of digits past the decimal point.	PS >"{0:F3}" -f [Math]::Pi 3.142
G or g	General	The most compact representation (between fixed point and scientific) of the number. The precision ...