How do I format a general number in Excel?

Convert Text to Numbers by Changing Cell Format

Select all the cells that you want to convert from text to numbers.
Go to Home –> Number. In the Number Format drop-down, select General.

How do I stop Excel from auto formatting numbers?

By placing an Apostrophe ( ‘ ) preceding the number, you will prevent Excel from reformatting the number and display the number exactly how you have it entered. Example: Entering ‘1/2 into a cell it will prevent Excel from making your fraction a date.

How do I automatically format numbers in Excel?

Select the ‘Number’ tab, and from the list of Categories, select the “Special” option. You will now see a list of formatting ‘Type’ options on the right side of the dialog box. Select the ‘Phone Number’ option from the list and click OK.

What is the default category of number format in MS Excel?

General
General is default By default, cells start with the General format applied. The display of numbers using the General number format is somewhat “fluid”. Excel will display as many decimal places as space allows, and will round decimals and use scientific number format when space is limited.

What is the default number format?

The General format is the default number format that Excel applies when you type a number. However, if the cell is not wide enough to show the entire number, the General format rounds numbers that have decimals. The General number format also uses scientific (exponential) notation for large numbers (12 or more digits).

How do I stop Excel from formatting?

To remove cell formatting in Excel, select the cells from which you want to remove all of the formatting. Then click the “Home” tab in the Ribbon. Then click the “Clear” button in the “Editing” button group. Finally, select the “Clear Formats” command from the drop-down menu that appears.

Why won’t Excel keep my formatting?

First, you should make sure that your workbook is being saved in native Excel 2007/2010 format. If you are saving it in the older Excel 97-2003 format, then it is possible that the losses you are seeing are due to the formatting not being supported in the older format.

Is there a phone number format in Excel?

Excel provides a special number format that lets you format a number as a phone number. For example, you can format a 10-digit number, such as 5555551234, as (555) 555-1234. Select the cell or range of cells that you want to format. In the Type list, click Phone Number.

How do you format a number in Excel?

How to create a custom number format in Excel Select the cell to be formatted and press Ctrl+1 to open the Format Cells dialog. An alternative way to do is by right-clicking the cell and then going to Format Cells > Number Tab. Under Category, select Custom. Type in the format code into the Type Click OK to save your changes.

How do you format thousands in Excel?

Large numbers in Excel can be formatted so they can be shown in “Thousands” or “Millions”. By using the Format Cells dialogue box shortcuts CTRL+1, you will need to select CUSTOM and then enter one comma to show Thousands or two commas to show Millions. You can even add some text in your cells by…

What is a custom number format?

A custom number format can be only a few characters or a long text string. They have at least one and at most four parts. Here are the four parts: Each part is divided by the ; (semicolon). A number format must at least have one part. All other parts can be omitted.

How do you change the default date in Excel?

To quickly change date format in Excel to the default formatting, do the following: Select the dates you want to format. On the Home tab, in the Number group, click the little arrow next to the Number Format box, and select the desired format – short date, long date or time.