How to Center Numbers and Have Decimals Line Up in Excel (44737)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows NT 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 4.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 2.10d
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 2.1
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 2.01
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 2.0
This article was previously published under Q44737

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, you can center your data in a column on a worksheet so that the decimals appear to line up.

MORE INFORMATION

To give the illusion that your data is centered with decimals aligned, create a custom number format by doing the following:

  1. Select the cells to be centered.
  2. In Microsoft Excel versions 5.0 and later, click Cells on the Format menu, and then click the Number tab.

    In Microsoft Excel versions 2.x, 3.x and 4.x, click Number on the Format menu.
  3. In the Code box, type the following (without the quotation marks):

    "#.00 "

    Adjust the spaces following the number format to make the data appear centered according to the current column width.
  4. Click OK to save the new format and make the change.
To center data in a cell without aligning decimal places, do the following:

  1. Select the range to be centered.
  2. In Microsoft Excel version 5.0 and later, click Cell on the Format menu, and click the Alignment tab.

    In Microsoft Excel versions 2.x, 3.0 and 4.0, click Alignment on the Format menu.
  3. Under Horizontal, select the Center option and click OK.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/15/2005
Keywords:KB44737
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