In Python, a common need occurs when dealing with numbers – especially when they are large – to format them in a way that makes them easier to read. One way to improve readability is by adding commas as thousands separators.
However, this formatting operation is not as straightforward as one might think. In Python, there are a variety of ways to format numbers with commas, each with its advantages and disadvantages. This tutorial will guide you on how to add commas to your output in Python.
Step 1: Basic String Formatting
Fortunately, Python includes built-in tools that allow us to add commas as thousands of separators. The simplest way to do this is to use the format function, which was introduced in Python 2.6. Here’s an example:
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num = 1234567 formatted_num = "{:,}".format(num) print(formatted_num) |
The output will be:
1,234,567
Step 2: Using f-strings
With the advent of Python 3.6, f-strings were introduced, and they have become a more powerful and efficient way of formatting strings. With f-strings, you can embed expressions inside string literals, using curly braces {}.
The expressions will be replaced with their values when the string is created. Here’s how you can use f-strings to add commas to your numbers:
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num = 1234567 formatted_num = f"{num:,}" print(formatted_num) |
The output will be the same as before:
1,234,567
Full Python Code
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num = 1234567 # Using the format function formatted_num_format = "{:,}".format(num) print(formatted_num_format) # Using f-strings formatted_num_f_string = f"{num:,}" print(formatted_num_f_string) |
This Python script will output:
1,234,567 1,234,567
Conclusion
Adding commas to numbers for thousands separators in Python can be done effectively using the format function or the f-strings. The method you choose to use will depend on your personal preference and the specific needs of your project.
Both methods are accurate and efficient, ensuring that your numbers are always displayed in a clear and easily-readable format. Remember that properly formatting your output makes your data more readable and enhances the user’s experience.