Thousands Separator Detector
List comma, dot, or ASCII-space grouping profiles observed in a numeric column sample, requiring groups of three digits; report when the same sample also permits a decimal-only interpretation.
Description
Numeric grouping marks can resemble decimal separators.
Numeric grouping marks can resemble decimal separators. A sample may support more than one interpretation, so detecting ambiguity is useful before conversion.1
List comma, dot, or ASCII-space grouping profiles observed in a numeric column sample, requiring groups of three digits; report when the same sample also permits a decimal-only interpretation.
When to use Thousands Separator Detector
Use this for the following task: List comma, dot, or ASCII-space grouping profiles observed in a numeric column sample, requiring groups of three digits; report when the same sample also permits a decimal-only interpretation.
Prepare the CSV text, decoded cells or byte values requested below. Choose delimiter and header flags explicitly when those fields are present.
How to use Thousands Separator Detector and understand its results
- Prepare the CSV text, decoded cells or byte values requested below. Choose delimiter and header flags explicitly when those fields are present.
- Enter values using the field table, then run the tool.
- Read groupingSeparators, mayBeDecimal. Interpret flags, units, ordering and placeholder values using the rules below.
- Review any reported issue or failed check, correct the supplied values when appropriate, and verify the result in its intended context.
| Input field | Meaning | Value type and bounds | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| values | Values | list of string; minimum entries 0; maximum entries 10000; each entry: string; maximum text length 10000 | Required |
Trim and ignore blank sample cells. Test comma, dot and ASCII-space grouping with the paired decimal convention, requiring observed grouping. Also test a decimal-only reading for comma/dot candidates.2
grouping candidate must parse every nonblank cell with valid three-digit groups This summarizes the declared operation. Units, indexing, inclusivity and exceptional cases are explained in the surrounding text.
| Output field | Meaning | Value type |
|---|---|---|
| groupingSeparators | Grouping separators | list of string |
| mayBeDecimal | May be decimal | boolean |
{
"input": {
"values": [
"12,345,678",
"1,234"
]
},
"output": {
"groupingSeparators": [
","
],
"mayBeDecimal": false
}
}Limitations and assumptions
This infers supported sample profiles rather than locale. Currency, exponent notation and other grouping conventions are excluded. Decimal parsing trims outer whitespace, requires digits before the separator and limits a numeric token to 200 characters.
Supply the decoded cell strings or raw values declared by the input fields; this tool does not load a spreadsheet file. Malformed requests produce input errors. A successfully evaluated request can still contain false flags, empty result lists or a result outside the supplied threshold; those outcomes have the meanings stated above.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Choose Numeric Sort EU Decimal-Aware for this operation: Stably sort rectangular CSV rows by exact numbers using comma decimals and optional dot groups of three, preserving original cell spelling and an explicit header. For a complementary task, use Decimal Separator Dot vs Comma Detector for this operation: List decimal separator profiles compatible with all nonblank cells, allowing opposite-character thousands grouping; ambiguous values such as 1,234 keep both interpretations.
Further background: Format and language reference: Thousands Separator Detector.
References
-
Format and language reference: Thousands Separator Detector — RFC Editor
-
Thousands Separator Detector — tool.io
Similar or alternative tools
- Numeric Sort EU Decimal-Aware
Stably sort rectangular CSV rows by exact numbers using comma decimals and optional dot groups of three, preserving original cell spelling and an explicit header.
- Decimal Separator Dot vs Comma Detector
List decimal separator profiles compatible with all nonblank cells, allowing opposite-character thousands grouping; ambiguous values such as 1,234 keep both interpretations.