Choosing a Number Style


After you decide on a suitable number format, you can choose a number style using either of two methods :

  • Click the number style buttons on the Formatting toolbar.

  • Choose Format, Cells and select a number style from the Format Cells dialog box.

Using the Toolbar to Change Number Formats

The Formatting toolbar offers several tools for changing number formats. Figure 9.1 shows the Formatting toolbar and the number style tools you use in this hour .

Figure 9.1. Number style tools on the Formatting toolbar.

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The following To Do exercise shows you how to use the Formatting toolbar to change number formats in the Sales workbook, Summary sheet. Your job is to format the numbers . If the workbook isn't open now, open it before you start the exercise.

To Do: Change Number Formats Using the Formatting Toolbar
  1. Select the cells in which you want to display commas; in this case, select cells B4:B8.

  2. Click the Comma Style button on the Formatting toolbar. Excel applies the Comma Style, displaying no commas, and two decimal places.

  3. Select cell B9.

  4. Click the Currency Style button on the Formatting toolbar. You should see the dollar sign, a comma, and two decimal places in the selected cell.

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If any cells display number signs, you can widen the column to display the numbers. Double-click the column border to the right of the column letter for the column you want to adjust.


Using the Format Cells Dialog Box

Instead of using the number style tools on the Formatting toolbar, you can select a value's format type in the Format Cells dialog box. That way, you can get a number format to look exactly the way you want it.

The next To Do exercise steps you through changing the number format for a range of cells using the Format Cells dialog box. You start by entering a column of numbers, so that you can format them in the Sales workbook.

To Do: Use the Format Cells Dialog Box to Change Number Formats
  1. Click cell C6, type 275 , and press Enter. In cell C7, type 195.50 , and in cell C8, type 1000 .

  2. Select the cells in which you want to display commas; in this case, select cells C4:C8.

  3. Click the Format menu and choose Cells. The Format Cells dialog box opens.

    graphics/lightbulb_icon.gif

    To quickly display the Format Cells dialog box, press Ctrl+1.


  4. Click the Number tab. On the left is a list of number format categories. On the top right is a Sample box, where Excel shows you what a sample number would look like formatted with that type. Also, you should see a description of the selected number category at the bottom of the dialog box.

    graphics/lightbulb_icon.gif

    You can also change the number format of a cell by using the shortcut menu; select the cell, click the right mouse button on the cell to display the shortcut menu, and then choose Format Cells.


  5. Click Number in the Category list. On the right, you see a number in the Sample box, the Decimal Places box, the Use 1000 Separator (,) check box, and a list of negative number formats. You need a 1000 separator, which is the comma.

  6. Click the Use 1000 Separator (,) check box. A check mark appears in the box, indicating you want to format your numbers with commas (see Figure 9.2).

    Figure 9.2. Number format options in the Format Cells dialog box.

    graphics/09fig02.jpg

  7. Click OK. You should see commas and two decimal places in the selected cells.

  8. Select the cell in which you want to display a dollar sign; in this case, select cell C9.

  9. Press Ctrl+1 to open the Format Cells dialog box.

  10. On the Number tab, click Currency in the Category list. On the right, you see a number in the Sample box, the Decimal Places box, a Symbol drop-down list, and a list of negative number formats. The default Currency options is suited to what you want.

    graphics/bookpencil_icon.gif

    If you select zero decimal places, Excel rounds the value to fit this format. For example, if you enter 5.5 in a cell, Excel rounds this number to 6 when formatting to zero decimal places.


  11. Click OK. You should see dollar signs, commas, and two decimal places in the selected cell. Click any cell to deselect the range.

graphics/bookpencil_icon.gif

If you want to format a number with the Euro, choose Currency, click the Symbol drop-down arrow, and select Euro (123) or Euro (123).




Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Office Excel 2003 in 24 Hours
Sams Teach Yourself Microsoft Office Excel 2003 in 24 Hours (Sams Teach Yourself in 24 Hours)
ISBN: 1435276337
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 279
Authors: Trudi Reisner

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