How to Format Numbers in Microsoft Excel

By default, numbers in Microsoft Excel do not show commas and do show the first two decimals (unless they are 0). However, numbers can be formatted to appear in many different ways.

This feature works the same in all modern versions of Microsoft Excel: 2010, 2013, and 2016.

Number Formats

Numbers in Excel can be formatted to show commas, show currency symbols, appear as percentages, and more.

To display numbers with a thousands separator (a comma) in Microsoft Excel:

1. Select the cells for which you wish to display numbers with a thousands separator.
2. On the Home tab, in the Number group, click the Comma Style command.

To display numbers with a currency symbol in Microsoft Excel:

1. Select the cells for which you wish to display a currency symbol.
2. On the Home tab, in the Number group, click the Accounting Number Format command (or the drop-down arrow to select a currency symbol other than the one displayed).

To display numbers as percentages in Microsoft Excel:

1. Select the cells for which you wish to display numbers as percentages.
2. On the Home tab, in the Number group, click the Percent Style command.

Date Formats

Microsoft Excel actually stores dates as numbers, so displaying dates is really a formatting issue. Excel allows you to display dates in many ways. For example, January 15, 2016 can be displayed as:

1. 01/15/2016
2. 01/15/16
3. 1/15/16
4. 1/15
5. 15-Jan
6. 15-Jan-16
7. Jan-16
8. January-16
9. January 15, 2016
10. Saturday, January 15, 2016

To set or change the way dates are displayed in Microsoft Excel:

1. Select the cell or cells for which you wish to change the way dates are displayed.
2. On the Home tab, in the Number group, click the Dialog Box Launcher.
3. In the Format Cells dialog box, in the Number tab, select Date in the Category box and choose a format from the Type box.
4. Click OK.

Showing Decimals

To change the number of decimals showing for numbers in Microsoft Excel:

1. Select the cell or cells for which you wish to change the number of decimals showing for numbers.
2. On the Home tab, in the Number group, click the Increase Decimal or the Decrease Decimal command.