How to Use the Intl API in JavaScript
The Intl API simplifies the formatting and manipulation of internationalized text, numbers, dates, and currencies. It lets you handle various data formats according to locale.
This API solves the challenge of formatting data for different cultures and languages. It makes it easy to format numbers with the appropriate currency symbol or dates using the appropriate date format for a specific region.
Using the Intl API, you can create web applications that are accessible and easy to use for audiences across regions and cultures.
Getting a User’s Locale
TheJavaScript constructorsprovided by the Intl API identify the locale they’ll use to format the date, text, number, etc., following a familiar pattern. Each constructor takes alocaleand anoptionsobject as arguments. Using these arguments, the constructor matches the requested locale(s) against the locales they currently support.
To get a user’s locale, you can use thenavigator.languageproperty. This property returns a string representing the language version of the browser.
The value of thenavigator.languageproperty is a BCP 47 language tag, which consists of a language code and, optionally, a region code and other subtags. For example, “en-US” represents English as spoken in the United States.
You can also use thenavigator.languagesproperty to get an array of the user’s preferred languages, sorted by priority. The first item in the array represents the user’s primary language preference.
Once you have obtained the user’s locale, you may customize your application’s display of dates, times, numbers, and currencies using theIntlAPI.
You can create a simpleJavaScript functionto help you get a user’s locale. Here’s a code snippet that can help:
ThisgetUserLocalefunction returns the first element of the navigator.languages property if it’s available. Otherwise, it falls back to the navigator.language property, which represents the user’s preferred language in older browsers.
Formatting Dates for Different Locales
To format dates using theIntlAPI, you’re able to use theIntl.DateTimeFormat()constructor. This constructor takes two arguments: a locale string and an options object.
The options object can contain properties that control the formatting of the date.
Some of the commonly used options include:
Here’s an example that shows how to format a date using theIntl.DateTimeFormat()constructor:
This code sets up a formatter object by passing the user’s locale toIntl.DateTimeFormat(), along with a set of options. It then uses the formatter to transform the current date into a string. Theoptionsobject contains properties that control the formatting of the date.
Formatting Different Types of Numbers
you may use theIntlAPI to format numbers using theIntl.NumberFormat()constructor. LikeIntl.DateTimeFormat(), this constructor takes a locale string and an options object as arguments.
The options object contains properties that control the formatting of the number. These properties vary depending on the specifiedstyleof the number.
Formatting Decimals and Percentages
you may format numbers as decimals and percentages usingIntl.NumberFormat()constructor by setting the style property todecimalfor decimals andpercentfor percentages.
Here’s an example that shows how to format a decimal:
The code block above formats 123,456 as a decimal with grouping separators (,) and two decimal places.
Here’s an example that shows how to format a percentage:
The code block above expresses 123,456 as a percentage with grouping separators.
Formatting Currencies
You can format numbers as currencies by setting the style property tocurrency. You should set other options alongside it, such as:
Here’s an example showing how it’s possible to format currency:
The code block above formats 123,456 as a currency (USD).
Formatting Units
You can use theIntl.NumberFormat()constructor to format numbers with units, such as length, volume, and mass. You can do this by setting thestyletounit. When you set the style to unit, you have to specify these options:
Here’s an example showing how you can format units:
The code block above formats the number 123,456 as a unit in liters.
Alternatives to the Intl API
The Intl API provides a powerful and flexible set of tools for formatting dates, numbers, currencies, and units in JavaScript applications. It supports many locales and provides a consistent way to format data across different cultures and languages.
You may want to use an alternative library, like Luxon or Day.js, due to limited browser support for Intl. Ultimately, deciding between the Intl API or an alternative depends on your project’s specific requirements and constraints.
Setting dates and times in JavaScript doesn’t need to be difficult; this guide will show you everything you need to know.
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