Leading the way in Microsoft Office Development

Step 1 - Understanding the Format

This gives you control over the number of decimal places displayed as well as the option of displaying basic punctuation, comma's and parentheses.

Decimal places - The number of decimal places can be from 0 to 30 and this can be changed by either typing directly into the box or using the spinner button.

Use 1000 separator - The 1000 separator will insert a comma every 3 digits, i.e. hundred, thousand etc.

Negative Numbers - The default is to display negative numbers with a minus sign, although there are the options to make negative numbers red, or display them in red with a negative sign.

Step 2 - All Numbers in Black

This is the default

Step 3 - Negative Numbers in Red

No minus sign is displayed because negative numbers are displayed in red

Step 4 - Negative Numbers in Parentheses

Step 5 - Negative Numbers in Red with Parentheses

Excel stores numbers as numeric data even if you later apply the text format to cells that contain numbers.

Step 6 - Things to Remember