This FAQ covers 3 common issue types for Number Format, including scientific notation display, decimal place control, and text-formatted numbers that do not calculate as expected.
FAQ
Why are my numbers displayed in scientific notation?
- Select the cells with the unexpected display.
- Open the Number Format drop-down menu, or open Format Cells.
- Change the format to Number or Text, or apply a custom format if needed.
How do I keep or adjust decimal places?
- Select the target cells.
- Click Increase Decimal Places or Decrease Decimal Places.
- For more detailed control, open Format Cells, choose Number, and set the displayed decimal places.
Why do numbers stop calculating after I set the cells to Text?
- Text format treats the content as characters instead of numeric values.
- If the cells need to participate in calculations, change the format back to General or Number.
- After that, check whether the formula results return to normal.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Number Format | A setting that controls how numbers appear in cells, such as currency, percentage, date, or scientific notation. |
| Custom Format | A display rule created by entering a custom format code. |
| Thousands Separator Style | A style that adds grouped separators to long numbers for easier reading. |
| Scientific Notation | A way to display very large or very small numbers in exponential form. |