APPLY_MASK(): Apply a Mask to Text (Format a Number)

In a formula-type column, the APPLY_MASK() function allows you to mask or display the characters of a chosen column.

The output format type of the result is configured in the output field options of the formula editor: see Formula Column.

Syntax

APPLY_MASK(column to mask, "@@@xxxx@@x@")

Parameter referencing in TimeTonic: $field_name for a field (link, linked table column, number, selection, formula, text); "free text" in quotes; no quotes for numbers.

Parameters

# Parameter Description

1 column to mask The chosen column whose characters are masked or displayed.

2 "mask" The mask to apply: use @ to display a character; use X to mask it.

Examples

Example 1: Fixed Number of Characters

In this example, for confidentiality reasons, I want to hide my clients' identity card numbers (CNI) from my collaborators. See article: how to hide a column from workspace members.

In the Mask column, only the last four characters are displayed. Indeed, in the formula: the last 4 characters are each represented by @, the first 4 characters are represented by X.

APPLY_MASK(Identity Card Number, "XXXX@@@@")

Example 2: Display Only the Beginning

It is possible to display only the desired first characters. For this, enter as many at signs (@) as characters: "bureau" with the mask "@@" becomes "bu".

APPLY_MASK(Postal Code, "@@")

Example 3: Mask Part with X or x (Same Behavior)

"0612345678" with the mask "XXXX@@@@@@" becomes "345678": the first 4 characters are masked (omitted from the result), the last 6 are displayed. Uppercase X and lowercase x mask in the same way.

APPLY_MASK("0612345678", "XXXX@@@@@@")

The mask accepts only two types of characters: @ (display the original character) and X or x, case-insensitive (mask: the position is simply omitted from the result, not replaced by a symbol). Mixing @ and X/x works normally. If the mask contains only @, the text is truncated to the length of the mask: bureau / "@@" = bu. Any other character in the mask, including a space, invalidates the formula and returns an empty value: avoid separators (spaces, dashes) inside the mask.

Learn More

SUBSTR

Extract a portion of text from a given position.

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