> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.integrate.io/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# ETL: SPRINTF

> Format values using printf-style templates with the Java formatter library. Use SPRINTF for custom string formatting in ETL pipeline expressions.

## Description

Uses printf-style template to formats a set of values using the [native Java formatter](https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/util/Formatter.html) library.

## Syntax

`SPRINTF(format_expression[, val1] […, valN])`

## Arguments

*format\_expression* - string expression that evaluates to a printf-style template

*val1 ... valN* - Values to place in the template. Their data type must match the formatting argument category. Note that datetime values are not supported - use [ToString](/etl/todate/) to format a datetime expression.

## Examples

`SPRINTF('%d is a %s',50,'number')` returns '50 is a number'.

## Return value datatype

String

## Impact of null value

If any input is null, returns null.