# init(string:) Initializes a decimal number so that its value is equivalent to that in a given numeric string. ``` convenience init(string numberValue: String?) ``` ## Parameters `numberValue` A numeric string. Besides digits, `numberValue` can include an initial `+` or `–` ; a single `E` or `e` , to indicate the exponent of a number in scientific notation; and a single decimal separator character to divide the fractional from the integral part of the number. For a listing of acceptable and unacceptable strings, see [`init(string:locale:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSDecimalNumber/init(string:locale:)) . ## Discussion Don’t use this initializer if `numberValue` has a fractional part, since the lack of a locale makes handling the decimal separator ambiguous. The separator is a period in some locales (like in the United States) and a comma in others (such as France). To parse a numeric string with a fractional part, use [`init(string:locale:)`](/documentation/Foundation/NSDecimalNumber/init(string:locale:)) instead. When working with numeric representations with a known format, pass a fixed locale to ensure consistent results independent of the user’s current device settings. For localized parsing that uses the user’s current device settings, pass [`current`](/documentation/Foundation/NSLocale/current). --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)