
Tips.Net > ExcelTips Home > Formatting > Cell Formatting > Number Formatting Shortcuts
Summary: Keyboard shortcuts can save time and make developing a workbook much easier. Here’s how to apply the most common of Excel’s number formats with a simple keystroke. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)
The typical way that people apply formatting to cells is to use the tools on the toolbars or ribbons, or to display the Format Cells dialog box and make formatting choices. For those who prefer to not remove their hands from the keyboard, however, Excel also provides a number of handy shortcuts you can use to format your cells.
| Shortcut | Effect | |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+Shift+~ | General format | |
| Ctrl+Shift+! | Number format with two decimal places and thousands separator | |
| Ctrl+Shift+$ | Currency format with two decimal places and negatives in parentheses | |
| Ctrl+Shift+# | Date format | |
| Ctrl+Shift+@ | Time format with minutes and am/pm | |
| Ctrl+Shift+% | Percentage format with no decimal places | |
| Ctrl+Shift+^ | Scientific notation with two decimal places |
Tip #2987 applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 2000 2002 2003 2007
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