Microsoft KB Archive/136086

= Negative Symbol Not the Same as Windows 95 Setting =

Article ID: 136086

Article Last Modified on 8/17/2005

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 95 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 5.0 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q136086





SYMPTOMS
The negative symbol in Microsoft Excel appears as a minus sign regardless of the Regional Settings in Windows 95 Control Panel.



WORKAROUND
To control the appearance of negative numbers in Microsoft Excel, use a custom number format. For example, use the following custom number format:


 * ,##0;"*"#,##0

Note that the format code "#,##0" is used as an example. You can use any valid number format as long as the character you want is enclosed in quotation marks at the beginning of the second portion (after the semicolon) of the custom format.

Microsoft Excel versions 7.0 and 97
To create a custom number format, use the right mouse button to click a cell and then click Format Cells on the submenu. Click the Numbers tab, and select the Custom category. In the Type box, enter the character you want to use as the negative sign. For example, if you want negative numbers to be preceded by an asterisk (*) rather by a minus sign (-), enter the following custom number format:


 * ,##0;"*"#,##0



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

