How do I show negative number in brackets using excel?

The only option I could choose from format is to show negative numbers with
"-" in front but I want to show negative number in brackets.

On the toolbar menu:

Format>FormatCell>Number and choose (1234.56) from the list.

HTH

"Alex" wrote:

> The only option I could choose from format is to show negative numbers with
> "-" in front but I want to show negative number in brackets.

Alex

If David's option is not available under Format>Cell>Number................

This is a function of your Regional Settings in Windows OS.

Start>Settings>Control Panel>Regional and Language Settings>Regional
Options>Customize>Currency>Negative Currency Format. Click on drop-down arrow
and select the ($1.1)

Note: this is under the "Currency" tab in Regional Options. Changing under
the "Numbers" tab only does not do the trick.

Apply and OK>Apply your way out.

You will have to close Excel then re-open to see effects.


Gord Dibben Excel MVP

On Tue, 6 Sep 2005 17:15:59 -0700, David Hepner
<DavidHepner@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>On the toolbar menu:
>
>Format>FormatCell>Number and choose (1234.56) from the list.
>
>HTH
>
>"Alex" wrote:
>
>> The only option I could choose from format is to show negative numbers with
>> "-" in front but I want to show negative number in brackets.

Not sure if you really mean brackets or you actually mean parentheses
parentheses ( ) ; brackets [ ] ; braces { }

If you really mean parentheses, here's a simple way. First highlight
the cell(s) you want formatted this way, then:
1.)Do the menu sequence Format>Cells
2.)Choose the Number tab
3.)In the Category field, choose Number
4.)In the Negative Numbers field, pick either of the 2 numbers (black
or red) enclosed in parentheses. (Optionally choosing Decimal Places
and 1000 Separator while you're in that screen.)
5.)Now, any cell containing a negative number within the range you
highlighted will be enclosed in parentheses.

However, if you really do mean brackets and not parentheses, it's just
a little more complicated. Again, highlight the cell(s) you want
formatted this way, then.
1.)Do the menu sequence Format>Cells
2.)Choose the Number tab
3.)In the Category field, choose Custom
4.)In the Type field, enter #,##0;"["#,##0"]" for no decimal places or
#,##0.00;"["#,##0.00"]" for 2 decimal places. (Be careful to include
those quotation marks as Excel doesn't allow entering brackets in a
custom format without them!)
5.)Now, any cell containing a negative number within the range you
highlighted will be enclosed in brackets.