Troubleshooting Exceptions: System.FormatException
A FormatException exception is thrown by a method when the format of an argument does not meet the parameter specifications of the method.
For example, many of the data types defined in the System namespace include a Parse method that takes a string argument and converts it to the data type. These methods throw a FormatException if the supplied argument is not in a format that can be converted. Double.Parse will throw a FormatException if its string argument is not in a recognizable numeric format. Consider the following examples.
' The first three statements run correctly.
Console.WriteLine(Double.Parse("32,115"))
Console.WriteLine(Double.Parse("32115"))
Console.WriteLine(Double.Parse("32.115"))
' The following statement throws a FormatException.
' Console.WriteLine(Double.Parse("32 115"))
Similarly, Boolean.Parse throws this exception if the string argument is not either "True" or "False".
' This statement runs correctly.
Console.WriteLine(Boolean.Parse("True"))
' This statement throws a FormatException.
' Console.WriteLine(Boolean.Parse("Ture"))
Associated Tips
- Make sure your method arguments are in the correct format.
The format of your method arguments must meet the parameter specifications of the invoked members.
See Also
Tasks
How to: Use the Exception Assistant