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Power Fx formulas can look different depending on the language settings used to author them. In dot-decimal authoring, commas separate function arguments and a single semicolon chains actions. In French-style comma-decimal authoring, semicolons separate arguments and ;; chains actions. The dot in a control reference such as Slider1.Value stays a dot in either locale.
Why Power Fx punctuation changes by locale
Power Fx adapts formula separators to the author’s locale so that decimal numbers use familiar notation. Microsoft describes the underlying formula as unchanged across author locales: punctuation is displayed and edited according to each maker’s language settings. The official Power Fx global support guidance explains the convention.
| Authoring convention | Decimal marker | Function, list, record-field, and table-record separator | Action chaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dot-decimal (for example, UK or Japan examples) | . |
, |
; |
| Comma-decimal (for example, France or Spain examples) | , |
; |
;; |
In French-style formulas, a single semicolon separates function arguments, fields in a record, or records in a table. Two semicolons together chain actions. A property selector is different: Slider1.Value uses a dot to access the Value property, not to mark a decimal or separate arguments.
Use If for a condition and Notify for feedback
If selects an outcome based on a condition. For example, an app might tell the user whether a required field is complete. The argument separators depend on the authoring locale:
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- Dot-decimal:
If(IsBlank(TextInput1.Text), Notify("Enter a value"), Notify("Ready")) - Comma-decimal:
If(IsBlank(TextInput1.Text); Notify("Enter a value"); Notify("Ready"))
Notify displays a message, while If determines which message is called for. Microsoft’s global-support documentation also demonstrates conditional notification and navigation, with punctuation adjusted to the author’s locale.
Chain actions after a successful operation
When an action succeeds and the app should then move to another screen, chain the actions using the locale’s chaining operator. The following illustrates the separator difference; replace the condition and screen name with those in your app:
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- Dot-decimal:
If(Form1.Valid, SubmitForm(Form1); Navigate(ConfirmationScreen)) - Comma-decimal:
If(Form1.Valid; SubmitForm(Form1);; Navigate(ConfirmationScreen))
Here, the separators between If arguments are not the same as the operator between the two actions. In the French-style version, one semicolon separates If arguments, while ;; chains SubmitForm and Navigate. Use a success-aware form pattern appropriate to the app’s data flow; navigation should happen only when the save has actually succeeded.
Format numbers and dates for users with Text
Text converts a value to text using a format pattern, and it can take an explicit language tag. This is useful when the app must display a value in a specific language rather than relying on the viewer’s or author’s default. Microsoft’s Text function reference shows French formatting using [$-fr-FR], including a space for grouping, a comma for decimals, and the euro symbol.
For example, a French-locale format can be expressed as Text(1234.5; "[$-fr-FR]#,##0.00 €") in comma-decimal authoring. The semicolon between arguments is the locale’s function separator; the commas and periods inside the quoted format string are part of the format pattern, not formula separators. Follow the relevant custom-format rules when adapting the pattern to your app.
An explicit language tag is also useful for dates when month or weekday names should appear in a chosen language. The format of the output is separate from the punctuation used to write the formula itself.
Parse imported numeric text with its source locale
Text arriving from a file, connector, or external system may use a different decimal and grouping convention from the app maker’s locale. Value and Decimal can interpret text with locale information; consult Microsoft’s Value and Decimal function reference for supported forms and examples.
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At an import boundary, specify the source language or locale when parsing if the incoming text’s convention is known and differs from the default. Validate the choice against the actual data contract: a string such as 1,25 can mean different things under different conventions. Do not assume that every external system uses the Power Apps author’s locale, and do not use display formatting as a substitute for parsing the source value correctly.
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Plan localization around the boundary between data and display
For an app serving multiple languages, separate three jobs: choosing interface language, formatting values users see, and parsing values received from other systems. Microsoft’s globalization guidance names Language, Text, Value, and DateValue as relevant functions for adapting what appears to users in different languages.
Quick Recap
- Use
Languagewhen the app needs to determine language context. - Use
Textto format displayed numbers or dates with an intentional pattern or language tag. - Use
Value,Decimal, orDateValuewith appropriate locale handling when converting incoming text. - Keep an external data contract explicit about number and date conventions so imports and exports do not depend on an individual maker’s authoring locale.
Quick checks when a formula does not parse
- Check the app’s authoring locale before changing punctuation.
- For comma-decimal authoring, use semicolons between arguments and
;;between chained actions. - For dot-decimal authoring, use commas between arguments and a single semicolon between chained actions.
- Keep the dot in property access, such as
Slider1.Value. - Inspect record and table syntax too: locale-sensitive separators apply there, not only inside function calls.
- Separate formula syntax from characters inside quoted format strings, which follow the format pattern rather than the authoring separator rules.
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