A Step-by-Step Guide to Formatting Numbers In Excel 2000

Formatting numbers

By default, values are formatted as general numbers. This means Excel doesn't display zeroes that don't affect the actual numeric value of the number. For example, Excel will display 250 but not $250.00 unless you format the number.

Values can be formatted as currency, percentages, fractions, dates, and many other formats. Remember, when you format a number, you're not changing the numeric value.

You can format selected cells using the Formatting toolbar, the Format dialog box, or the shortcut menu.

To format cells using the Formatting toolbar:

Select the cell or range you want to format.
On the Formatting toolbar, click one of the buttons explained in the table below. Your number is now formatted.
Click anywhere outside the cell to turn off the formatting.

	Currency	Displays and aligns dollar signs, comma separators, and decimal points. Ex: 89.5 as $89.50.
	Comma	Same as currency, but without dollar signs. Ex: 120.5 as 120,50.
	Percentage	Displays numbers as percentages. Ex: 0.82 as 82%.
	Increase Decimal	Ex: .12 as .120.
	Decrease Decimal	Ex: 0.5670 as 0.567.

Formatting only affects the look of a cell, not the cell's contents. To view the contents of a cell, click the cell and look at the Formulabar.

Excel has several number formats to choose from in the Format Cells dialog box, which are discussed on the next page.

To format using the Format Cells dialog box:

Select the cells you want to format.
Choose FormatCells from the menu bar. The Format Cells dialog box opens. Or right-click the cells to open the shortcut menu and choose Format Cells.
The Format Cells dialog box has several categories to choose from, each one on a separate tab: Number, Alignment, Font, Border, Patterns, and Protection.
Click the Number tab if it is not already displayed.
Click the different categories to preview results.
Set other options if you want (font, borders, etc).
Click OK.

If you hover your mouse pointer over the dollar sign button on the Formatting toolbar, the tool tip reads currency style. When you apply this button's format, Excel applies the accountant format (dashes for zeroes and dollar signs lined up next to the numbers).

Challenge!

Open Excel.
Experiment with and type a few numbers into cells. Select the cells.
Using the Formatting toolbar, convert cells to currency, commas, and percentages.
Open the Format Cells dialog box. Click the Numbers tab.
Preview the various categories.
Click OK.

Comments

The Advanced Guide to Colours In Graphic Design

The power of color Color plays a vital role in design and everyday life . It can draw your eye to an image. Sometimes it can trigger an emotional response. It can even communicate something important without using words at all. So how do we know which colors look good together and which ones don't? The answer is simple: Color theory . Artists and designers have followed color theory for centuries, but anyone can learn more about it. It can help you feel confident in many different situations, whether it's choosing colors for a design or putting together the perfect outfit . With a little insight, you'll be looking at color in a whole new way. Color basics Let's start at the beginning with a refresher on the basics. Remember learning about primary and secondary colors in school? Then you already have some knowledge of color theory. Secondary colors are created by combining two primary colors...

The Ultimate Glossary of Terms About Typography In Graphic Design

What is typography? Typography is everywhere we look. It's in the books we read, on the websites we visit, even in everyday life—on street signs, bumper stickers, and product packaging. But what exactly is typography? Simply put, typography is the style or appearance of text . It can also refer to the art of working with text—something you probably do all the time if you create documents or other projects for work, school, or yourself. Common types of fonts Typography can be an intimidating subject, but it doesn't have to be. You only need to know a little to make a big difference in the stuff you do every day. So let's get started. First, some common types of fonts and what you need to know about them. Serif fonts Serif fonts have little strokes called serifs attached to the main part of the letter. Because of their classic look, they're a good choice for more traditional projects . They're also common in print publications, like magazines an...

Layout And Composition In Graphic Design: It's Not as Difficult as You Think

What is composition? In many ways, layout and composition are the building blocks of design. They give your work structure and make it easier to navigate, from the margins on the sides to the content in between. Why is composition so important? In short, it's the way your content is arranged . It doesn't matter if you're working with text, images, or elements in a graphic; without a thoughtful, well-composed layout, your work would basically fall apart. Five basic principles The key to mastering layout and composition is to think like a designer . Luckily, it's easier than it sounds. There are five basic principles that can help you transform your work and sharpen your eye for design. Keep them in mind during your next project, and look for ways to apply them. Proximity Proximity is all about using visual space to show relationships in your content. In practice, it's pretty simple—all you have to do is make su...

Tutorials Home

Search This Blog