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# Why Use a Currency Field Instead of Text to Sum Values in Formulas and Reports
- URL: https://blog.jestor.com/currency-field-vs-text-formulas-jestor/
- Published: 2026-07-19T02:16:05.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-19T02:16:05.000Z
- Author: Bruno Bannach

In **Jestor**, a currency-type field lets formulas and reports sum values automatically, something a plain text field doesn't support, since text can't be used in math operations.

## Why not just use a text field with the value?

Typing "$100" as text might look visually correct, but when trying to sum accounts-payable installments in a formula or automation, the calculation simply doesn't work on text.

## Why a currency field instead of a regular numeric field?

| Field type   | Can be summed in formulas? | Shows a standardized currency symbol? |
| ------------ | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **Text**     | No                         | No                                    |
| **Number**   | Yes                        | No                                    |
| **Currency** | Yes                        | Yes (standardized dollar, real, etc.) |

## Why choose Jestor to handle financial values?

**Jestor** already provides the currency field ready to use in formulas and automations, including compatibility with automatic value reading via **OCR**, with no need for manual text-to-number conversions.

### Does a currency field let me choose between dollars, reais, and other currencies?

Yes, you can standardize the currency symbol used on that specific field.

### Why not just use a numeric field instead of currency?

The numeric field also sums, but doesn't display a standardized currency symbol like the currency field does.

### Can this field be filled in automatically via OCR?

Yes, the document reader can extract the value from an invoice and fill in that field automatically.

### Video Tutorial: Step by Step

Check out more practical tutorials on Jestor's YouTube channel.

### Get to know Jestor

With **Jestor**, financial values are ready for formulas and reports right from the correct field, with no text workarounds.

Get to know Jestor at [jestor.com](https://jestor.com/?ref=blog.jestor.com) and see how to take your operation's efficiency to a new level.