The `ExcelRange.Text` method returns the cells formatted value as a string. In most cases EPPlus converts the `Value` property to the same Text value as your spreadsheet application, but some number formats are converted to a localized format that differs between .NET and the spread sheet application. To get the correct format in all cases you can add your own handling for this.

#### Using the ExcelPackageSettings.CultureSpecificBuildInNumberFormats

Some of the build in number formats are formatted differently depending on the regional setting. By default EPPlus uses the standard OOXML number formats as specified in ECMA-376, section 18.8.30. To support regional formats you can add your own formats like this:

```csharp
ExcelPackageSettings.CultureSpecificBuildInNumberFormats.Add("de-DE",
  new Dictionary<int, string>()
  {
    {14, "dd.mm.yyyy"}, 
    {15, "dd. mmm yy"}, 
    {16, "dd. mmm"},
    {17, "mmm yy"}, 
    {18, "hh:mm AM/PM" }, 
    {22, "dd.mm.yyyy hh:mm"},
    {39, "#,##0.00;-#,##0.00"}, 
    {47, "mm:ss,f"}
   });
```

```vbnet
ExcelPackageSettings.CultureSpecificBuildInNumberFormats.Add("de-DE",
  New Dictionary(Of Integer, String)() From {
    {14, "dd.mm.yyyy"},
    {15, "dd. mmm yy"},
    {16, "dd. mmm"},
    {17, "mmm yy"},
    {18, "hh:mm AM/PM"},
    {22, "dd.mm.yyyy hh:mm"},
    {39, "#,##0.00;-#,##0.00"},
    {47, "mm:ss,f"}
  })
```

To override EPPlus behaviour for other number formats you can also use the `ExcelWorkbook.NumberFormatToTextHandler` callback function.

#### ExcelWorkbook.NumberFormatToTextHandler

Using the `ExcelWorkbook.NumberFormatToTextHandler` property you can add a callback function used to format the `Text` property yourself.

```csharp
package.Workbook.NumberFormatToTextHandler = TextHandler; //Set the new call back function to our own TextHandler.
```

```vbnet
package.Workbook.NumberFormatToTextHandler = AddressOf TextHandler 'Set the new call back function to our own TextHandler.
```

The signature for this method looks like this: `string TextHandler(NumberFormatToTextArgs options)`. Here is a simple example:

```csharp
public string TextHandler(NumberFormatToTextArgs options)
{
    switch (options.NumberFormat.NumFmtId)
    {
        case 15:
            if (options.Value is DateTime dt)
            {
                return dt.ToString("dd. mmm yy"); //Return your own formatted text.
            }
            break;
    }
    return options.Text;
}
```

```vbnet
Public Function TextHandler(options As NumberFormatToTextArgs) As String
    Select Case options.NumberFormat.NumFmtId
        Case 15
            If TypeOf options.Value Is DateTime Then
                Dim dt = CType(options.Value, DateTime)
                Return dt.ToString("dd. mmm yy") 'Return your own formatted text.
            End If
    End Select
    Return options.Text
End Function
```

#### The NumberFormatToTextArgs class

This class returns information about the cell to be formatted.

| Property | Data type | Description |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Worksheet | ExcelWorksheet | The worksheet of the cell to be formatted |
| Row | int | The row of cell to be formatted |
| Column | int | The column of the cell to be formatted |
| NumberFormat | ExcelNumberFormatXml | The number format settings for the cell to be formatted |
| Value | object | The value to be formatted |
| Text | string | The text string formatted by EPPlus |

### See also

- [Formatting and Styling](<https://epplussoftware.com/docs/styling/formatting-and-styling/index.md>) (Contains Number Format syntax)