Excel: Convert Numbers into Accounting Mode

Ever wondered why Excel features a currency format as well as an accounting format? You’re not alone.

The reason is, creating Excel spreadsheets that contain currency like an income statement or a balance sheet can be difficult to organize. The numbers, decimal places and dollar signs don’t always line up, which leads to a very odd-looking — and confusing — spreadsheet.

While very similar to the currency format, there are key differences. The accounting format:

• shows zero values as dashes
• aligns all the currency symbols and decimal places, and
• shows negative numbers in parentheses.

Excel at Navigating the Accounting Format

Here’s how to navigate the accounting format in Excel. To convert numerical cell values to the accounting format, simply highlight the desired cells and right click them. Then:

• Click the Format Cells option.
• Click the Number category.
• Choose the accounting tab – this will give you the option to change how many decimal points or which type of currency symbols you desire to show.
• Click OK and bam, it’s now in the accounting format!

To format empty cells, highlight the desired cells and right click them. Then:

• Click the Format Cells option.
• Click the Number category, and then chose the accounting tab.
• Click OK and start to enter the numbers you desire.

The numbers you input will be automatically converted to the accounting format. Looks neat and clean, right?

If you want to convert any cells back to normal numbers, simply highlight the desired cells and right click them, click the Format Cells option, click the Number category, and then chose the general tab.

For more helpful Excel tips and training, check out Learn Excel Now.