Datasheet

Format Numbers
(continued)
W
hen using the Format Cells dialog box, you
can use the Number format option to apply
special formats to your numbers. You can set
the number of decimal places, specify whether your
number should display a thousands separator, and
determine how to display negative numbers. You can
choose from four formats for negative numbers: preceded
by a negative sign (–), in red, in parentheses, or in red
and parentheses.
The Currency format offers you the same options as the
Number format except you can choose to display a
currency symbol. The currency symbol you choose
determines the options you have for displaying negative
numbers. If you choose the dollar sign ($), thousands are
separated by commas by default.
Excel designed the Accounting format to comply with
accounting standards. When using the Accounting
format, if you use the dollar sign symbol ($), the dollar
sign aligns with the left side of the cell, decimal points
are aligned, a dash (–) displays instead of a zero, and
negative values display in parentheses.
Countries vary in the way they display dates and times.
Use the Date and Time format option to choose a locale. If
you choose English (U.S.), you have more than 15 ways
to display a date and a variety of ways to display time. To
learn more about dates and times, see Chapter 3.
The Percentage option converts numbers to a percent.
You can choose the number of decimal places you want
to display. The Fraction option converts numbers to a
fraction. If your locale is English (U.S.), you can use the
Special format option to format ZIP codes, phone
numbers, and Social Security numbers.
PERCENTS
1 Click and drag to select the numbers you want to format.
2 Click the Percent Style button in the Number group.
3
5
1
4
2
2
1
Format Numbers (continued)
8
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Excel converts the numbers to percentages.
DATES
1 Click and drag to select the cells you want to format.
2 Click the Number group’s launcher.
3 In the Number tab of the Format Cells dialog box,
click Date.
4 Click to choose a format.
5 Click OK.
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