Datasheet

18
Part I: Putting the Fun in Functions
Excel lets you format your data in just the way you need. Formatting options
are on the Home Ribbon, in the Number category.
Figure 1-12 shows how formatting helps in the readability and understand-
ing of a worksheet. Cell B1 has a monetary amount and is formatted with the
Accounting style. Cell B2 is formatted as a percent. The actual value in cell B2
is .05. Cell B7 is formatted as currency. The currency format displays a nega-
tive value in parentheses. This is just one of the formatting options for cur-
rency. Chapter 5 explains further about formatting currency.
Figure 1-12:
Formatting
data.
Besides selecting formatting on the Home Ribbon, you can use the familiar (in
previous versions) Format Cells dialog box. This is the place to go for all your
formatting needs beyond what’s available on the toolbar. You can even create
custom formats. You can display the Format Cells dialog box two ways:
✓ On the Home Ribbon, click the drop-down list from the Number cat-
egory, and then click More Number Formats.
✓ Right-click any cell and select Format Cells from the pop-up menu.
Figure 1-13 shows the Format Cells dialog box. So many settings are there it
can make your head spin! We discuss this dialog box and formatting more
extensively in Chapter 5.
Getting help
Excel is complex; you can’t deny that. And lucky for all of us, help is just a key
press away. Yes, literally one key press — just press the F1 key. Try it now.
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