# Specifying UDT Parameter as a String instead of Numeric

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/specifying-udt-parameter-as-a-string-instead-of-numeric/34139>\
**Category:** Ignition\
**Created:** [April 22, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/specifying-udt-parameter-as-a-string-instead-of-numeric/34139 "2020-04-22T21:51:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kcollins](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/kcollins/32/19646_2.png) [@kcollins](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/kcollins)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2020, 9:51pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/specifying-udt-parameter-as-a-string-instead-of-numeric/34139/1 "2020-04-22T21:51:27Z")

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I've run across an interesting situation where I need to be able to instance a UDT with a parameter like `0883` and have it stay as that value (it is a string, despite it "feeling" numeric). Within the Designer UI, anything I try changes the parameter value to `883`, making the assumption it is a number. Does anyone know of a way to force a parameter to be a string value outside of performing an import via json/xml? (which does work btw, so I'm not exactly stuck, just wanting an intuitive way for maintenance of the system to be done via the designer when new objects are created)

Thanks!