Microsoft KB Archive/942460

= System.FormatException occurs when attempting to convert a numeric string to a numeric data type =

Article ID: 942460

Article Last Modified on 9/11/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Visual Basic 2005
 * Microsoft Visual Basic 2005 Express Edition

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Source: Microsoft Support



RAPID PUBLISHING
RAPID PUBLISHING ARTICLES PROVIDE INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM WITHIN THE MICROSOFT SUPPORT ORGANIZATION. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO EMERGING OR UNIQUE TOPICS, OR IS INTENDED SUPPLEMENT OTHER KNOWLEDGE BASE INFORMATION.



Action
You attempt to cast a numeric string to a numeric data type, using code similar to the following.

Dim strInput As String = &quot;10&quot;

Dim intResult As Integer = 0

Try

intResult = Convert.ToInt16(strInput)

Catch ex As Exception

MessageBox.Show(&quot;Error: &quot; & ex.Message)

End Try



Result
You receive a System.FormatException with the following error and stack trace.

&quot;Input string was not in a correct format.&quot;

A first chance exception of type 'System.FormatException' occurred in mscorlib.dll

at System.Number.StringToNumber(String str, NumberStyles options, NumberBuffer& number, NumberFormatInfo info, Boolean parseDecimal)

at System.Number.ParseInt32(String s, NumberStyles style, NumberFormatInfo info)

at System.Int16.Parse(String s, NumberStyles style, NumberFormatInfo info)

at System.Convert.ToInt16(String value)

at TypeConversionTest.Form1.cmdConvert_Click(Object sender, EventArgs e) in C:\Source\TypeConversionTest\TypeConversionTest\Form1.vb:line 7



Cause
There is an incorrect value in the following value in the Windows registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\International\sPositiveSign

This value should be empty for most English Language settings. Note that when this error occurs, the value may appear empty visually, but may contain a space or unprintable character.



Resolution
While it is possible to directly edit the value for the problem key, the preferred method is to change the Regional Settings to a different Region/Language and then reset it to the desired setting:

1. Open the Regional and Language Options applet from the Control Panel.

2. Note the Current Format.

3. Change the Current Format to English (Australian)

4. Click Apply.

5. Change the Current Format to the noted format, eg, English (American).

6. Click Apply and then click OK.

This action resets every value under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\International registry key.



MoreInformation


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Keywords: kbnomt kbrapidpub KB942460

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