Number Formatting Shortcuts

Summary: Keyboard shortcuts can save time and make developing a workbook much easier. Here's how to apply the most common of Excel's number formats with a simple keystroke. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

The typical way that people apply formatting to cells is to use the tools on the toolbars or ribbons, or to display the Format Cells dialog box and make formatting choices. For those who prefer to not remove their hands from the keyboard, however, Excel also provides a number of handy shortcuts you can use to format your cells.

Shortcut		Effect
Ctrl+Shift+~		General format
Ctrl+Shift+!		Number format with two decimal places and thousands separator
Ctrl+Shift+$		Currency format with two decimal places and negatives in parentheses
Ctrl+Shift+#		Date format
Ctrl+Shift+@		Time format with minutes and am/pm
Ctrl+Shift+%		Percentage format with no decimal places
Ctrl+Shift+^		Scientific notation with two decimal places

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2987) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Number Formatting Shortcuts