Negative Symbol Not the Same as Windows 95 Setting (136086)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
- Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
- Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0
This article was previously published under Q136086 SYMPTOMS
The negative symbol in Microsoft Excel appears as a minus sign regardless
of the Regional Settings in Windows 95 Control Panel.
WORKAROUND
To control the appearance of negative numbers in Microsoft Excel, use a
custom number format. For example, use the following custom number format:
Note that the format code "#,##0" is used as an example. You can use any
valid number format as long as the character you want is enclosed in
quotation marks at the beginning of the second portion (after the
semicolon) of the custom format.
Microsoft Excel versions 7.0 and 97
To create a custom number format, use the right mouse button to click a
cell and then click Format Cells on the submenu. Click the Numbers tab,
and select the Custom category. In the Type box, enter the character you
want to use as the negative sign. For example, if you want negative
numbers to be preceded by an asterisk (*) rather by a minus sign (-),
enter the following custom number format:
STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products
listed at the beginning of this article.
REFERENCES
For more information about how to create custom number formats in
Microsoft Excel 7.0, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help,
type the following text
double-click the selected text, then double-click "Create Custom Number
Formats."
For more information about how to create custom number formats in
Microsoft Excel 5.0, click the Index tab in Microsoft Excel Help,
type the following text
and double-click the selected text.
| Modification Type: | Minor | Last Reviewed: | 8/17/2005 |
|---|
| Keywords: | KB136086 |
|---|
|