The explicit conversion flag is used to transform the format field value before it is formatted. This can be used to override the type-specific formatting behavior, and format the value as if it were a more generic type.
In the absence of an explicit conversion flag, the value is simply formatted. The default formatting converts to a str:
From PEP 3101:
In the absence of an explicit conversion flag, the value is simply formatted. The default formatting converts to a
str
:I don't think
!s
was added for a reason here, the defaultstr
conversion in the__format__
can be used instead.