Gordon, it seems that you were right after all. Windows settings have
nothing to do with this. Here's the solution: Go to Format, Style, Number
and apply this format: _ * # ##0_);_ * (# ##0);_ * "- "_);_ @_ .

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions.

Hélène

"Gordon" wrote:

Hélène wrote:
Hi,

I have read every questions and replies on this site in order to get my
negative numbers to show in brackets and nothing works. I am desparate. The
regional settings are changed to indicate negative numbers in brackets but
when I try formatting the cells in Excel, I cannot get the numbers to show in
brackets.

I have Windows XP, Office 2003.

Please help me...

Thanks.

Excel does NOT use the windows regional setting! (ANOTHER example of MS
not doing joined-up thinking - Lotus DOES however, but that's not an MS
product is it?). You have to use Custom Formatting.

--
Interim Systems and Management Accounting
Gordon Burgess-Parker
Director
www.gbpcomputing.co.uk