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Microsoft Excel offers various types of number formats that can be applied to data in a spreadsheet. These formats allow users to customize how numbers are displayed, making it easier to interpret and analyze data. Some of the most commonly used number formats in Excel include:
1. General: This is the default number format in Excel and displays numbers as they are entered, without any special formatting.
2. Currency: This format is used for monetary values and adds a currency symbol, such as $ or €, to the numbers. It also allows users to specify the number of decimal places to be displayed.
3. Number: Similar to the general format, this format displays numbers as they are entered, but allows users to specify the number of decimal places and add a thousands separator.
4. Date: Excel offers various date formats, such as short date, long date, and custom date formats, which allow users to display dates in different ways according to their preferences.
5. Time: This format allows users to display time values, such as hours, minutes, and seconds, in different formats, such as 12-hour or 24-hour clock.
6. Percentage: This format is used to display numbers as percentages, and allows users to specify the number of decimal places to be displayed.
7. Scientific: This format is used for very large or very small numbers and displays them in scientific notation, such as 1.23E+05 for 123,000.
8. Custom: Excel also offers the option to create custom number formats, where users can specify their own formatting rules, such as adding text or symbols to numbers.
In addition to these, there are many other specialized number formats available in Excel, such as fraction, accounting, and text formats. These formats provide users with a wide range of options to display and manipulate data in a way that best suits their needs.
Excel Number Formats
Number Formats
The default Number format is General.
Why change number formats?
- Make data explainable
- Prepare data for functions, so that Excel understands what kind of data you are working with.
Examples of number formats:
- General
- Number
- Currency
- Time
Number formats can be changed by clicking the Number format dropdown, accessed in the Ribbon, found in the Numbers group.
Note: You can switch the Ribbon view to access more Number format options.
Example
In the example we have cells that represent prices, which can be formatted as Currency.
Let’s try to change the format of the prices to the Currency Number format.
Step by step:
- Mark the range
B2:C8 - Click the Number format dropdown menu
- Click the Currency format
That’s it! The Number format was changed from General to Currency.
Note: It will use your local currency by default.
Now, do the same for B10, B11 and B13:
Did you make it?
Note: The currency can be changed. For example instead of using USD like in the example you can decide for $ or EUR. It is changed in the dropdrop menu, clicking the More Number Formats in the bottom of the menu. Then, clicking on Currency.
Notice that the numbers look like a mess. Let’s solve that by decreasing the decimals. This helps to make the presentation more neat.
Decimals
The number of decimals can be increased and decreased.
There are two commands:
- Increase Decimal
- Decrease Decimal
Clicking them reduces or increases the number of decimals.
The commands can be found next to the Number format dropdown menu.
Note: Decreasing Decimals can make Excel round up or down numbers as more decimals get removed. This may be confusing if you are working on advanced calculations which require accurate numbers.
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 looks a lot better!
row 1 and column A can be clicked to mark all cells in the sheet. This can be useful if you want to change the Number format or change Decimals for all cells.
Chapter summary
Number formats can be changed to make the spreadsheet more understandable or to prepare cells for functions. You can increase and decrease decimals to make the presentation neat.
Cite this article
stats writer (2024). What are the different types of number formats available in Excel?. PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Retrieved from https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/what-are-the-different-types-of-number-formats-available-in-excel/
stats writer. "What are the different types of number formats available in Excel?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 28 Jun. 2024, https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/what-are-the-different-types-of-number-formats-available-in-excel/.
stats writer. "What are the different types of number formats available in Excel?." PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, 2024. https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/what-are-the-different-types-of-number-formats-available-in-excel/.
stats writer (2024) 'What are the different types of number formats available in Excel?', PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. Available at: https://scales.arabpsychology.com/stats/what-are-the-different-types-of-number-formats-available-in-excel/.
[1] stats writer, "What are the different types of number formats available in Excel?," PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES, vol. X, no. Y, ص Z-Z, June, 2024.
stats writer. What are the different types of number formats available in Excel?. PSYCHOLOGICAL SCALES. 2024;vol(issue):pages.