How to denote a number if # cannot be used? (What are alternatives to # symbol?)

Question

I have data file containing titles like

Invoice #ZT-123456 June 2017

or

Agreement #1_ABCD Foo Services

but I need to put these titles into an app where character # is not allowed. (Edit: And U.S. customer will see what I wrote there.)

What is the best alternative writing when I cannot use #?

I was thinking about something like this:

Invoice Nr. ZT-123456

or

Invoice nr. ZT-123456

Maybe I could use number but replacing symbol with complete word does not seem appropriate to me in this context.

@MaxWilliams – I want this is to feel natural to U.S. customer. I am not sure if they will be happy if I call it any way I want. — miroxlav, Aug 17 '17 at 15:19
If you're not under length restrictions, just spell it all out: "Invoice number". — Hellion, Aug 17 '17 at 15:30
The Numero sign № (U+2116) can also be rendered as either No or N plus superscript 'o'. Also used is 'Nr' which I'm familiar with from use in Bills of Quantity where it has gradually taken over from № during the length of my career (going on 40 years) though I believe it is originally german. №t sure why it has changed, possibly more pan-european specification going on and it avoids the risk of laymen thinking it means 'none'. — Spagirl, Aug 17 '17 at 15:32
@JohnLawler & others – just create your answers, I'll award them. — miroxlav, Aug 17 '17 at 15:34
@miroxlav, i beg your pardon, I misread your question as being about variable names or something, not customer-facing values. — Max Williams, Aug 17 '17 at 15:56
@MaxWilliams – I see, no problem. I edited the question for greater clarity. — miroxlav, Aug 17 '17 at 16:01
related: What Is the Real Name of the #? and When to pronounce # for pound, sharp, hash or hashtag? and What is the correct abbreviation for the word “numbers”? — Mari-Lou A, Aug 18 '17 at 11:32
There is no need to have any symbol, unless there is some potential for confusion with count, etc. — Hot Licks, Aug 18 '17 at 11:35

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

6

The standard American English abbreviation for number is "No." (uppercase N, lowercase o, followed by a period). For example, Invoice No. 65967.

No., no. written abbreviation

number. room No.145

Source: Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013

edited Jun 15 '20 at 07:40

Community

answered Aug 17 '17 at 15:53

Mark Hubbard

1 Answers1