Try this on a new worksheet.

Format A1 with this:
#,##0.00 [$$-C0C]_-

Format A2 with
#,##0.00 [$$-C0C]

Type 123.45 in A1 and B1

You'll see part of the difference.

The underscore tells excel to reserve the next character's width even if
(especially if) it's not used.

You can see it more in a format like:
_(#,##0_);(#,##0);_(0_);_(@_)

PositiveFormat;NegativeFormat;ZeroFormat;TextForma t

If the number is positive, then excel will reserve room for where the ()'s would
go. It makes things line up nicer.

(and same with zero and text values)


Simon Thorn wrote:

If I format a cell as a currency with symbol '$ French (Canada) the
custom format string generated is "#,##0.00 [$$-C0C]_-".. what does
the trailing minus sign do? It seems to have no effect when switching
between positive/negative/zero values..

Cheers,

Simon Thorn
XLCubed Ltd

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Dave Peterson