---
title: Introduction to Data Formatting Programming Guide For Cocoa
framework: cocoa
role: article
path: apple-archive/documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/DataFormatting
---

# Introduction to Data Formatting Programming Guide For Cocoa

Explains how to use Cocoa formatters to create and validate text in text fields and other cells.

## Organization of This Document

[Date Formatters](Articles/dfDateFormatting10_4.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002369-SW1) describes how to use date formatters.

[Number Formatters](Articles/dfNumberFormatting10_4.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002368-SW1) describes how to use number formatters.

[Formatters and User Interface Elements](Articles/dfCells.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40002337-SW1) describes how to set a formatter for a user interface element, and the interaction between an element and its formatter in OS X.

[Creating a Custom Formatter](Articles/CreatingACustomFormatter.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20000196-CJBFABHB) outlines how to create custom formatter classes.

[Next](Articles/dfDateFormatting10_4.html)

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