Excel Formats Number
Number Formats
General is the default format for numbers.
Why alter the format of a number?
- Make data comprehensible
- In order for Excel to recognize the type of data you are dealing with, prepare your data for functions.
Number format examples include:
- General
- Number
- Currency
- Time
The Number format menu, accessible through the Ribbon and located in the Numbers group, can be clicked to alter the number formats.
Note: You can switch the Ribbon view to access more Number format options.
Example
The example contains cells with prices in them that can be formatted as Currency.
Let’s attempt to convert the price format to a Currency Number format.
Step by step:
- Mark the range B2:C8
- Click the Number format dropdown menu
- Click the Currency format
And that’s it! The General format of the number was replaced by Currency.
Note: By default, it will use the currency in your area.
Now, do the same for B10, B11 and B13:
Did you make it?
Note: You can alter the currency. For instance, you can choose to use $ or EUR in place of USD in the example. By selecting More Number Formats at the bottom of the menu, you can alter it in the drop-down menu. Next, select Currency.
Observe how disorganized the numbers appear to be. Let’s reduce the decimals to solve it. This contributes to the presentation’s neater appearance.
Decimals
The number of decimals can be increased and decreased.
There are two commands:
- Increase Decimal
- Decrease Decimal
By clicking on them, you may change how many decimals there are.
The commands are located adjacent to the dropdown menu for number format.
Note: When more decimals are eliminated, Excel may round figures upward or downward. If you are working on complex computations that call for precise numbers, this could be confusing.
Let’s clean this up, step by step:
- Mark the range B2:C8
- Click the Decrease Decimal button two times
Great!
Do the same for B10, B11 and B13:
That appears much better!
Expert tip: To mark every cell in the sheet, click the arrow in the upper left corner of the angle that is formed by rows 1 and column A. If you wish to modify the Decimals for every cell or the Number format for every cell, this can be helpful.
Chapter summary
To prepare cells for functions or to make the spreadsheet easier to understand, number formats might be altered. Decimals can be increased and decreased to tidy up the appearance.
