SQL*Plus formats

The following formats are used by the SQL*Plus ACCEPT and COLUMN commands

Column FORMATS

Code eg  Description
-- ----  ------------------------------

An A20   Char, VARCHAR2 (VARCHAR), LONG
         where n is the desired display width.

9  9999  The number of digits entered=display width. 
         Does not display leading zeroes.

0  0999  Displays leading zeroes.

   9990  Display 0 as '0' instead of ' ' 

$ $9999  Prefix a dollar sign

B B9999  Display 0 as ' ' instead of '0' 

MI 9999MI    Display minus signs "-"

PR 9999PR    Display minus in <brackets>

comma 9,999  Include commas

period 99.99 Align the decimal point 

V 999V99     Multiply value by 10n, where n is the number of "9's"

EEEE 9.999EEEE Display in scientific notation

DATE DATE    Display value as a date (US)