> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.wem.io/platform/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.wem.io/platform/wemreference/functions/math/tonumber.md).

# ToNumber

{% hint style="info" %}
The **`ToNumber()`** converts a <mark style="color:blue;">value</mark> to a <mark style="color:green;">number</mark>.

This function is NOT SQL compatible. For more information about SQL compatibility, see our [documentation](/platform/wemreference/sql-compatibility.md).

With Modeler v4.4 and Runtimes v5 (August 2025), the ToNumber function got a new overload that accepts a duration and a duration\_unit. Older runtimes will show "invalid expression" when this overload is used.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
Note: this function uses the language setting of a portal when converting text.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
Returns the number converted from `text` or a unit from `date`.\
Returns <mark style="color:red;">`Invalid expression`</mark> when `text` is not a number, or when `reference` is not a valid RowId, or when `date` is not a valid date value or `unit` is not a valid date unit.
{% endhint %}

### Syntax

<details>

<summary><code>ToNumber(</code><mark style="color:blue;"><code>text</code></mark><code>)</code></summary>

`ToNumber("1.34")`\
\&#xNAN;*=> 1.34*

`ToNumber("a123b456")`\
\&#xNAN;*=> Invalid expression*

`ToNumber(unknowntext)`\
\&#xNAN;*=> unknown*

</details>

<details>

<summary><code>ToNumber(</code><mark style="color:blue;"><code>reference</code></mark><code>)</code></summary>

`ToNumber([reference-field to currentrow of a list])`\
\&#xNAN;*=> \[the numeric ID value of the current row]*

</details>

<details>

<summary><code>ToNumber(</code><mark style="color:blue;"><code>date, date_unit</code></mark><code>)</code></summary>

`ToNumber(date(2015,9,26,15,46,29), day)`\
\&#xNAN;*=> 269*

`ToNumber()`\
\&#xNAN;*=> Invalid expression*

</details>

<details>

<summary><code>ToNumber(</code><mark style="color:blue;"><code>duration, duration_unit</code></mark><code>)</code></summary>

`ToNumber(ToDuration("0.00:02:14.12"), millisecond)`\
\&#xNAN;*=> 134120*

<mark style="color:red;">This implementation only works on Kubernetes Runtimes version 5 and up!</mark>

*Duration units:*
\
`day` - results in the total number of days
\
`hour` - results in the total number of hours
\
`minute` - results in the total number of minutes
\
`second` - results in the total number of seconds
\
`millisecond` - results in the total number of milliseconds

</details>

### Parameters

<table><thead><tr><th width="150">Name</th><th width="150">Type</th><th width="150" align="center">Required</th><th width="248.15953250810662">Description</th><th data-hidden>Required?</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><code>text</code></mark></td><td>text</td><td align="center"><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2611">☑️</span></td><td>a text containing a number.</td><td>yes</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><code>reference</code></mark></td><td>reference</td><td align="center"><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2611">☑️</span></td><td>reference field, holding a rowid of a list.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><code>date</code></mark></td><td>date</td><td align="center"><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2611">☑️</span></td><td>a date.</td><td>yes</td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><code>unit</code></mark></td><td>date-unit</td><td align="center"><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2611">☑️</span></td><td>the <a href="https://wem.io/documentation/reference/functions/quickreference/datatypes#datetime-unit">unit</a> that is retrieved from <code>date</code>.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><code>duration</code></mark></td><td>duration</td><td align="center"><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2611">☑️</span></td><td>a duration value.<br><mark style="color:red;">supported from runtime v5</mark><br><mark style="color:red;">invalid expression in older runtimes</mark>.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td><mark style="color:blue;"><code>duration_unit</code></mark></td><td>duration-unit</td><td align="center"><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2611">☑️</span></td><td><em>Duration units:</em>
<br><code>day</code> - results in the total number of days
<br><code>hour</code> - results in the total number of hours
<br><code>minute</code> - results in the total number of minutes
<br><code>second</code> - results in the total number of seconds
<br><code>millisecond</code> - results in the total number of milliseconds</td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>


---

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