## Syntax
```mermaid
%%{init: {
'theme': 'base',
'flowchart': { 'padding': '7', 'nodeSpacing': '20', 'rankSpacing': '20' },
'themeVariables': {
'fontSize': '11px',
'fontFamily': 'Arial'
}
}}%%
flowchart LR
Start((START)) --> TO_NUMBER[TO_NUMBER]:::quoted
TO_NUMBER --> End((END))
```
## Purpose
The `TO_NUMBER` SQL function converts a value into a number. An error is raised when the value can not be converted to a number.
Parameters:
- Input: value to convert.
- Format: format mask. Optional; defaults to local style. The list of format masks is available in [[Format Masks]].
Returns: the input converted to text.