Using variable to define string.Format numeric format style

Question

I'd like to format a number using a run-time supplied format string. Isn't something like this possible?

string.Format("{0:{1}}",0,"c")

The "c" may change to be any other type of format string. I've tried various combinations but am failing to find the correct one.

you need a 2 step format. Step one to create the format string. Then step 2 to use that string in a second string.format to produce the final output — pm100
– pm100, Commented Jul 24, 2017 at 16:22

Alessandro D'Andria · Accepted Answer · 2017-07-24 16:24:30Z

1

This should work:

var s0 = string.Format("{{0:{0}}}", "c");
var s1 = string.Format(s0, 0);

The double { and } is to escape curly braces.

answered Jul 24, 2017 at 16:23

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2 Comments

should that be var s0 = string.Format("{{0:{1}}}", 0, "c"); ?

This worked. string.Format(string.Format("between {{0:{2}}} and {{1:{2}}}", lowerBound, upperBound, formatString), lowerBound, upperBound)