Number Formats

Number Format Cycles

A number format cycle applies a number format to selected cells using keyboard shortcuts. Repeat a cycle's shortcut keystroke to apply the next format in the cycle to the selection.

Too many number formats

If a number format cycle does not appear to be working, the workbook may contain too many number formats (an Excel limitation). Try removing unused number formats from the workbook.

If you receive an "Invalid number format" error when customizing number format cycles, the active workbook may contain too many number formats. In this scenario, open a new workbook and try again.

General Cycle

Example: 1,000; 1,000.0; 1000

Ctrl
Shift
1

Multiple Cycle

Example: 8.9x; 1.25x

Ctrl
Shift
8

Local Currency Cycle

Example: $345; $1,234.5; $15.75

Ctrl
Shift
4

Date Cycle

Example: 9/30/2016; 2016-09-30; Sep 30, 2016

Ctrl
Shift
2

Foreign Currency Cycle

Example: €500.0; ¥20,000; £14.5

Ctrl
Alt
Shift
4

Binary Cycle

Example: Yes/No; Y/N; On/Off; True/False

Ctrl
Shift
Y

Percent Cycle

Example: 49.9%; 150bps; L+350

Ctrl
Shift
5

Ratio Cycle

Example: 1.23:1; 6/10

Alt
Shift
;

Customization

Macabacus comes pre-loaded with curated number formats that work well for aligning numbers in financial modeling. For example, the large gap between currencies and the right edge of a cell facilitates alignment with percentages and alignment of both positive and negative values where negative values are expressed using parentheses. You can customize these number formats in the Excel > Format > Numbers section of the Settings dialog. To automatically align numbers to the right of the cell when applying number formats using these cycles, check the Align numbers right box. To automatically italicize fonts when applying percentage number formats, check the Italicize percentages box.

If you need assistance with understanding number formats, see this Microsoft guidance.

International currencies

A single dollar sign ("$") in a number format instructs Excel to apply the currency symbol (e.g.,"€", "£") set in Windows. To ensure that currencies are formatted in USD, regardless of your Windows currency symbol setting, replace all occurrences of "$" with "[$$]" in your currency number formats.

Decimal Adjustment

Thousands and decimal separators

For optimal Increase/Decrease Decimals performance, ensure that your thousands and decimal separator (e.g., "," and ".") settings in Excel match your system separator settings.

Increase Decimals

Increase the number of decimal places shown for numeric values in selected cells. Repeat to continue increasing the number of decimal places shown.

Ctrl
,

Decrease Decimals

Decrease the number of decimal places shown for numeric values in selected cells. Repeat to continue increasing the number of decimal places shown.

Ctrl
.

Shift Decimal Left

Shift the decimal point to the left for all numeric inputs within the selected range of cells. This has the same effect as dividing by 10. Repeat to continue shifting the decimal point to the left. Note that this operation works on numeric inputs, only, and will not modify formulas.

Alt
Shift
,

Shift Decimal Right

Shift the decimal point to the right for all numeric inputs within the selected range of cells. This has the same effect as multiplying by 10. Repeat to continue shifting the decimal point to the right. Note that this operation works on numeric inputs, only, and will not modify formulas.

Alt
Shift
.

This documentation refers to the latest Macabacus version. Some features and descriptions of these features may not apply to older versions of Macabacus. Update your Macabacus software to take advantage of the latest features.

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