How about some hyphens?

[lost_]

The official format for US phone numbers is (nnn) 555-1212

I actually couldn't find any documentation that says the "(NPA)NXX-NUMB" is the official US formatting (with regards to delimiters). NANPA documents, etc.. does anyone know? I thought it's just one of the acceptable formats, but the official North American numbering is just NPA-NXX-1234 without specifying the 'official' way to format it. I might be mistaken.

I use periods, like most of the rest of world.

Hmmm.. says who? I know many countries who don't use periods. The international number format is "+(country code) (number)"

With that, I vote for hypens/dashes NPA-NXX-1234. It's more space efficient than (NPA)NXX-1234

[caseydoug]

Why not do it the way Excel or other spreadsheets do it: the database holds an unformatted number, but we are given several formatting options for the way the number displays.

My understanding is that they are redesigning VPanel. Chances are they won't put much effort into changing a system that won't be used for much longer.

[usa2k]

Why not do it the way Excel or other spreadsheets do it: the database holds an unformatted number, but we are given several formatting options for the way the number displays.

My understanding is that they are redesigning VPanel. Chances are they won't put much effort into changing a system that won't be used for much longer.

EXACTLY

This is the best answer. Especially if, like Excel, data input can be accepted in the formats possible for data output (And display as the format preferred, once entered.)