# Numeric formats
The numeric format governs the way that numbers are output in GSA. This is best illustrated by an example of output of
Engineering | 3 sig. figures | 205.E+9 | 300.E−3 | 7.85 |
Decimal | 2 decimal places | 2.0E+11 | 0.30 | 7.85 |
Scientific | 4 sig. figures | 2.050E+11 | 3.000E−1 | 7.850 |
The preferred numeric format is set in the Miscellaneous Preferences. This can be adjusted locally for Output Views using the Numeric Format button on the Data Options toolbar.