Chapter 2: Entering and Editing Worksheet Data
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Tip
The formatting that you apply works with the selected cell or cells. Therefore, you need to select the cell (or
range of cells) before applying the formatting. Also remember that changing the number format does not affect
the underlying value. Number formatting affects only the appearance. n
Values that you enter into cells normally are unformatted. In other words, they simply consist of a
string of numerals. Typically, you want to format the numbers so that they’re easier to read or are
more consistent in terms of the number of decimal places shown.Figure 2.8 shows a worksheet that has two columns of values. The first column consists of unfor-
matted values. The cells in the second column are formatted to make the values easier to read. The
third column describes the type of formatting applied.On the CD
This workbook is available on the companion CD-ROM. The file is named number formatting.xlsx.
FIGURE 2.8Use numeric formatting to make it easier to understand what the values in the worksheet represent.
Tip
If you move the cell pointer to a cell that has a formatted value, the Formula bar displays the value in its
unformatted state because the formatting affects only how the value appears in the cell — not the actual
value contained in the cell. n
Using automatic number formatting ..........................................................................
Excel is smart enough to perform some formatting for you automatically. For example, if you enter
12.2% into a cell, Excel knows that you want to use a percentage format and applies it for you
automatically. If you use commas to separate thousands (such as 123,456), Excel applies comma
formatting for you. And if you precede your value with a dollar sign, the cell is formatted for cur-
rency (assuming that the dollar sign is your system currency symbol).