What I want is something like this:
String.Format(\"Value: {0:%%}.\", 0.8526)
Where %% is that format provider or whatever I am looking for
This code may help you:
double d = double.Parse(input_value);
string output= d.ToString("F2", CultureInfo.InvariantCulture) + "%";
If you have a good reason to set aside culture-dependent formatting and get explicit control over whether or not there's a space between the value and the "%", and whether the "%" is leading or trailing, you can use NumberFormatInfo's PercentPositivePattern and PercentNegativePattern properties.
For example, to get a decimal value with a trailing "%" and no space between the value and the "%":
myValue.ToString("P2", new NumberFormatInfo { PercentPositivePattern = 1, PercentNegativePattern = 1 });
More complete example:
using System.Globalization;
...
decimal myValue = -0.123m;
NumberFormatInfo percentageFormat = new NumberFormatInfo { PercentPositivePattern = 1, PercentNegativePattern = 1 };
string formattedValue = myValue.ToString("P2", percentageFormat); // "-12.30%" (in en-us)
Use the P format string. This will vary by culture:
String.Format("Value: {0:P2}.", 0.8526) // formats as 85.26 % (varies by culture)
I have found the above answer to be the best solution, but I don't like the leading space before the percent sign. I have seen somewhat complicated solutions, but I just use this Replace addition to the answer above instead of using other rounding solutions.
String.Format("Value: {0:P2}.", 0.8526).Replace(" %","%") // formats as 85.26% (varies by culture)
If you want to use a format that allows you to keep the number like your entry this format works for me:
"# \\%"