Excel 2010 Bible

Part I: Getting Started with Excel

44

Tip
A handy default feature in Excel makes entering percentage values into cells easier. If a cell is formatted to dis-
play as a percent, you can simply enter a normal value (for example, 12.5 for 12.5%). To enter values less than
1%, precede the value with a zero (for example, 0.52 for 0.52%). If this automatic percent–entry feature isn’t
working (or if you prefer to enter the actual value for percents), access the Excel Options dialog box and click
the Advanced tab. In the Editing Options section, locate the Enable Automatic Percent Entry check box and
remove the check mark. n

Formatting numbers by using the Ribbon .................................................................

The Home ➪ Number group in the Ribbon contains controls that let you quickly apply common

number formats (see Figure 2.9).

FIGURE 2.9

You can find number formatting commands in the Number group of the Home tab.

Number
Format

Decrease

Decimal

Places

Comma Style

Accounting
Number
Format

Percent

Style

Increase

Decimal

Places

The Number Format drop-down list contains 11 common number formats. Additional options

include an Accounting Number Format drop-down list (to select a currency format), a Percent

Style, and a Comma Style button. The group also contains a button to increase the number of deci-

mal places, and another to decrease the number of decimal places.

When you select one of these controls, the active cell takes on the specified number format. You

also can select a range of cells (or even an entire row or column) before clicking these buttons. If

you select more than one cell, Excel applies the number format to all the selected cells.