Excel XP

Formatting Numbers in the Format Cells Dialog Box

Numbers in Excel can assume many different formats: Date, Time, Percentage or Decimals.

To Format the Appearance of Numbers in a Cell:

• Select a cell or range of cells.
• Choose Format Cells from the menu bar.
  
  
  
  (You could also right-click and choose Format Cells from the shortcut menu.)
  
  
• The Format Cells dialog box opens.
• Click the Number tab.
  
  
  
  
• Click Number in the Category drop-down list.
  
  
  
  
• Use the Decimal places scroll bar to select the number of decimal places (e.g., 2 would display 13.50, 3 would display 13.500).
• Click the Use 1000 Separator box if you want commas (1,000) inserted in the number.
• Use the Negative numbers drop-down list to indicate how numbers less than zero are to be displayed.
• Click the OK button.