Excel 2010 Bible

Chapter 2: Entering and Editing Worksheet Data

45

Using shortcut keys to format numbers .....................................................................

Another way to apply number formatting is to use shortcut keys. Table 2.1 summarizes the short-

cut-key combinations that you can use to apply common number formatting to the selected cells

or range. Notice that these Ctrl+Shift characters are all located together, in the upper left of your

keyboard.

TABLE 2.1

Number-Formatting Keyboard Shortcuts

Key Combination Formatting Applied

Ctrl+Shift+~ General number format (that is, unformatted values)

Ctrl+Shift+$ Currency format with two decimal places (negative numbers appear in parentheses)

Ctrl+Shift+% Percentage format, with no decimal places

Ctrl+Shift+^ Scientific notation number format, with two decimal places

Ctrl+Shift+# Date format with the day, month, and year

Ctrl+Shift+@ Time format with the hour, minute, and AM or PM

Ctrl+Shift+! Two decimal places, thousands separator, and a hyphen for negative values

Formatting numbers using the Format Cells dialog box ............................................

In most cases, the number formats that are accessible from the Number group on the Home tab are

just fine. Sometimes, however, you want more control over how your values appear. Excel offers a

great deal of control over number formats through the use of the Format Cells dialog box, shown

in Figure 2.10. For formatting numbers, you need to use the Number tab.

You can bring up the Format Cells dialog box in several ways. Start by selecting the cell or cells

that you want to format and then do one of the following:

l Choose Home ➪ Number and click the small dialog box launcher icon (in the lower-right

corner of the Number group).

l Choose Home ➪ Number, click the Number Format drop-down list, and choose More

Number Formats from the drop-down list.

l Right-click the cell and choose Format Cells from the shortcut menu.

l (^) Press Ctrl+1.