Some Finance Committee members like minus signs instead of brackets for negative variances on reports. I have been asked to modify my spec file.

Using Format, I can convert (3,325) to -3325. Any idea how I can achive -3,325? I would like to retain the comma.

Any help is appreciated.

Hi, Grace,

Select the cell(s) you are interested in using this format for, right click and select Format Cells (or select Format | Cells from the menu). Click on the Format tab. Scroll down the list of available formats until you find the Regional Number format. Select it and click OK.

Hello,

Yes, this works like a charm except...

How do I get a rounded number. I tried Precision = 0 and it did not work.

Any ideas???

Grace:
On the same "Format" screen, try "Comma" as an alternative to "Regional Number". Then you can either set the Precision to 0 on that entry box or close the box and use the "Decrease decimals" button.

Unfortunately the Regional Setting overrides the Increase/Decrease decimals & Precision that you set.

If you really need this fornatting then you must use Excel Direct and finish the formatting in Excel using Format Cells | Number Decimal places = 0 and select Use 1000 Seperator.

The issue has been reported to R&D and may be addressed in a future release.

Re: Bruce's reply

Yes, I tried this and the negative sign is left justified whereas the number is right justified. The presentation just doesn't look quite right.

Thank you anyway.

Re: Michael's reply

I did exactly as you describe ie. the Excel export. This is a great deal of work especially since we have 20+ departments. Ouch!!!

I will wait for the fix and have them settle for dollars and cents if they want minus signs.

I really do not get the fixation with the brackets. Seems to me that committee members get caught up in presentation and forget to analyze the reason for the variances.