Uses of Class java.text.Format (Java Platform SE 8 )
Date: 2026-04-17

## Uses of Class
java.text.Format

- Packages that use Format
  Package | Description
  --- | ---
  java.text | Provides classes and interfaces for handling text, dates, numbers, and messages in a manner independent of natural languages.
  java.time.format | Provides classes to print and parse dates and times.
  javax.swing | Provides a set of "lightweight" (all-Java language) components that, to the maximum degree possible, work the same on all platforms.
  javax.swing.text | Provides classes and interfaces that deal with editable and noneditable text components.

- - ### Uses of Format in java.text

    Subclasses of Format in java.text
    Modifier and Type | Class and Description
    --- | ---
    `class` | `ChoiceFormat` A `ChoiceFormat` allows you to attach a format to a range of numbers.
    `class` | `DateFormat` `DateFormat` is an abstract class for date/time formatting subclasses which formats and parses dates or time in a language-independent manner.
    `class` | `DecimalFormat` `DecimalFormat` is a concrete subclass of `NumberFormat` that formats decimal numbers.
    `class` | `MessageFormat` `MessageFormat` provides a means to produce concatenated messages in a language-neutral way.
    `class` | `NumberFormat` `NumberFormat` is the abstract base class for all number formats.
    `class` | `SimpleDateFormat` `SimpleDateFormat` is a concrete class for formatting and parsing dates in a locale-sensitive manner.

    Methods in java.text that return Format
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `Format[]` | MessageFormat.`getFormats()` Gets the formats used for the format elements in the previously set pattern string.
    `Format[]` | MessageFormat.`getFormatsByArgumentIndex()` Gets the formats used for the values passed into `format` methods or returned from `parse` methods.

    Methods in java.text with parameters of type Format
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `void` | MessageFormat.`setFormat(int formatElementIndex, Format newFormat)` Sets the format to use for the format element with the given format element index within the previously set pattern string.
    `void` | MessageFormat.`setFormatByArgumentIndex(int argumentIndex, Format newFormat)` Sets the format to use for the format elements within the previously set pattern string that use the given argument index.
    `void` | MessageFormat.`setFormats(Format[] newFormats)` Sets the formats to use for the format elements in the previously set pattern string.
    `void` | MessageFormat.`setFormatsByArgumentIndex(Format[] newFormats)` Sets the formats to use for the values passed into `format` methods or returned from `parse` methods.

  - ### Uses of Format in java.time.format

    Methods in java.time.format that return Format
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `Format` | DateTimeFormatter.`toFormat()` Returns this formatter as a `java.text.Format` instance.
    `Format` | DateTimeFormatter.`toFormat(TemporalQuery<?> parseQuery)` Returns this formatter as a `java.text.Format` instance that will parse using the specified query.

  - ### Uses of Format in javax.swing

    Constructors in javax.swing with parameters of type Format
    Constructor and Description
    `JFormattedTextField(Format format)` Creates a `JFormattedTextField`.

  - ### Uses of Format in javax.swing.text

    Methods in javax.swing.text that return Format
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `Format` | InternationalFormatter.`getFormat()` Returns the format that dictates the legal values that can be edited and displayed.

    Methods in javax.swing.text with parameters of type Format
    Modifier and Type | Method and Description
    --- | ---
    `void` | NumberFormatter.`setFormat(Format format)` Sets the format that dictates the legal values that can be edited and displayed.
    `void` | InternationalFormatter.`setFormat(Format format)` Sets the format that dictates the legal values that can be edited and displayed.

    Constructors in javax.swing.text with parameters of type Format
    Constructor and Description
    `InternationalFormatter(Format format)` Creates an `InternationalFormatter` with the specified `Format` instance.

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