---
title: Overbasic – String functions
description: "**My.Strings** category contains all built-in functions available in Overbasic for handling strings. ## **Cstr** Converts a number (or the result of a numeric-expression) to a string. **Result type**: string **Arguments**: - **NUMBER**: any numeric expression. ``` Dim s As String…"
url: "https://www.overcharts.com/en/helpcenter/docs/overbasic-string-functions/"
updated: "2023-01-20"
category: "Overbasic / Built-In Funtions"
---

# Overbasic – String functions

**My.Strings** category contains all built-in functions available in Overbasic for handling strings.

## **Cstr**

Converts a number (or the result of a numeric-expression) to a string.

**Result type**: string

**Arguments**:

- **NUMBER**: any numeric expression.

```
Dim s As String = My.Strings.Cstr(2 * 3) 'Result: "6"
```

## **FormatNumber**

Returns a number/numeric-expression formatted as specified.

****Result type****: string

****Arguments****:

- **EXPRESSION**: any numeric expression.
- **FORMAT**: format string

**Note:**

In the format string:

- "**,**" (comma) is the thousand separator
- "**.**" (point) is the decimal separator
- "**#**" character omits the most significant digit (if zero)
- "**%**" character formats the number as a percentage

WARNING: thousand and decimal separators in the resulting string will be the separators defined in OS settings.

```
Dim a As String = My.Strings.FormatNumber(10.2, "0.00")  'Result: "10.20"
Dim b As String = My.Strings.FormatNumber(10.27, "0.0")  'Result: "10.3"
Dim c As String = My.Strings.FormatNumber(0.23, "#.00")   'Result: ".23"
Dim d As String = My.Strings.FormatNumber(10.23, "000000")  'Result: "000010"
Dim e As String = My.Strings.FormatNumber(10.23, "0")  'Result: "10"
Dim f As String = My.Strings.FormatNumber(0.273, "0.0%")  'Result: "27.3%"
Dim g As String = My.Strings.FormatNumber(12345.92827635, "#,##0.00")  'Result: "12,345.93"
Dim h As String = My.Strings.FormatNumber(45.92827635, "#,##0.00")  'Result: "45.93"
```

## **Instr**

Returns the position of the first character of STRING2 within STRING1. If STRING2 is not present in STRING1, it returns zero.

******Result type******: numeric

****Arguments****:

- **START**: character (position) where to start searching for STRING2 in STRING1
- **STRING1**: any string
- **STRING2**: any string

```
Dim a As Numeric = My.Strings.Instr(1, "Hello World", "World") 'Result: 7
Dim b As Numeric = My.Strings.Instr(1, "Hello World", "Bye") 'Result: 0
```

## **Len**

Returns the length (in characters) of a string.

******Result type******: numeric

****Arguments****:

- **STRING**: any string

```
Dim l As Numeric = My.Strings.Len("Hello World") 'Result: 11
```

## **Ltrim**

Removes any spaces from the left side of a string.

******Result type******: string

****Arguments****:

- **STRING**: any string

```
Dim s As String = My.Strings.Ltrim("   Hello   ") 'Result: "Hello   "
```

## **Mid**

Returns a substring of STRING.

******Result type******: string

****Arguments****:

- **STRING**: any string
- **START**: position of first substring character within STRING
- **LENGTH**: (*optional*) substring length. If omitted, equals the length of STRING minus START.

```
Dim s As String = My.Strings.Mid("Hello", 2, 3) 'Result: "ell"
Dim s As String = My.Strings.Mid("Hello", 2) 'Result: "ello"
```

## **Rtrim**

Removes any spaces from the right side of a string.

******Result type******: string

****Arguments****:

- **STRING**: any string

```
Dim s As String = My.Strings.Rtrim("   Hello   ") 'Result: "   Hello"
```

## **Trim**

Removes any left and right spaces in a string.

******Result type******: string

****Arguments****:

- **STRING**: any string

```
Dim s As String = My.Strings.Trim("   Hello   ") 'Result: "Hello"
```