Require a Number Format Mask to show leading zeros on decimals

Question

Hi,
My users are complaining about the decimal point not being very clear when fractional numbers are shown. I need a format mask to show a leading zero for numbers between 0 and 1 (eg. 0.5) but not have a trailing point after whole integers.
by example:
10 should show "10"
.5 should show "0.5"
I have tried the following
FM99990D99 which displays as
10 as "10."
.5 as "0.5"
The whole integer of 10 then gets a trailing decimal point. Very ugly as the decimal is the exception to the rule which is why I need to highlight it.
The user do not want a forced decimal place either as follows:
FM999990D09
10 as "10.0"
0.5 as "0.5"
The trailing decimal place is not a practical solution because 99% of numbers are whole numbers and the decimal just pollutes the screen with more zeros, making the numbers harder to read, resulting in more errors.
I am looking for a format mask that shows:
10 as "10"
.5 as "0.5"
I am using Oracle Forms which means I cannot set_item_instance_property for the records which have decimals. I need a single format mask for all options...
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tim.

Answer 1

Thanks Francois.
Looks like there is not a simple solution using a format mask alone.
I have implemented a very similar solution to your suggestion. I have a character, non-base table field which I populate and dynamically set a format mask if the value is between -1 and 1 (and not zero).
i.e.
if :purchase.qty > -1 and
:purchase.qty < 1 and
:purchase.qty != 0
then
:purchase.qty__dsp := to_char(:purchase.qty,'FM999999990D99');
else
:purchase.qty__dsp := to_char(:purchase.qty);
end if;
Thanks,
Tim.