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Data formats

Different types of numeric and linguistic data are represented using data formats.

  • Date and time values may be formatted to depict ranges, time zones, abbreviations, and more, as appropriate to the context.
  • Data redaction and truncation guidelines describe how to represent truncated numbers and disguise sensitive data.

Formats represented

  • Time
  • Month, day, year
  • Approximating time
  • Absolute time
  • Time zones
  • Abbreviations
  • Rounded numbers

Date & time

Date & Time can be mentioned in different following formats.For detailed description Click Here.

  • Date and time
  • Time and date ranges
  • Time zones
  • Date and time modifications by context
  • Abbreviations

Talking about date and time

Display date and time information as people normally speak to each other, when space is available.

  1. Refer to yesterday or tomorrow in those terms.
  2. If the day is in the upcoming week, display the day of the week (such as Tuesday).
  3. Describe a time of day in other ways that promote understanding, such as, “Store open 9:00 AM–Midnight” or “Reminder for tomorrow afternoon”.

Data redaction and truncation

Redacting numbers

Midline ellipses [• • •] are bulleted characters that partially hide sensitive data. They indicate when a number, such as a credit card or Social Security number, is not entirely visible.

When to use 3 ellipses

To redact most numbers, like Social Security numbers, use three midline ellipses [• • •].

You may use this format across typefaces and platforms:

  1. Place two regular spaces before the first midline ellipse.
  2. Then add a thin space between each midline ellipse and after the final one./li>
  3. Or, use the Unicode string instead: U0020,U0020,U2022,U2006,U2022,U2006,U2022,U2006

When to use 4 ellipses

Credit and debit card data must be redacted using four midline ellipses [• • • •].

  • use the Unicode string instead: U0020,U0020,U2022,U2006,U2022,U2006,U2022,U2006,U2022,U2006
  • Redacting Letters:

    Baseline ellipses [...] represent letters, words, or phrases that aren’t shown. They also represent when a name or email address is only partially visible.

    Usage

    Type the ellipses as three periods in a row (or Unicode character U2026) after the last letter shown.