# To Number

Parses the input as a number. yq will try to parse values as an int first, failing that it will try float. Values that already ints or floats will be left alone.

## Converts strings to numbers

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
- "3"
- "3.1"
- "-1e3"
```

then

```bash
yq '.[] | to_number' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
3
3.1
-1e3
```

## Doesn't change numbers

Given a sample.yml file of:

```yaml
- 3
- 3.1
- -1e3
```

then

```bash
yq '.[] | to_number' sample.yml
```

will output

```yaml
3
3.1
-1e3
```

## Cannot convert null

Running

```bash
yq --null-input '.a.b | to_number'
```

will output

```bash
Error: cannot convert node value [null] at path a.b of tag !!null to number
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://mikefarah.gitbook.io/yq/operators/to_number.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.