I need a custom format that puts a number in parentheses whether it is
positive or not. I cannot treat the cell as a text cell and just enter the
parentheses manually, because I need to use the number from this cell in a
computation. It appears that all of the custom formats provided (listed under
the "Number" tab of the "Format Cells" dialog box) only apply parentheses if
the number is negative. Any ideas?

format cells number custom

you are going to create a new one

under where it says type:, type in:
(0)

If you already have too many custom formats you might have to delete some of
them (same menu). Otherwise just leave it like that.

OK

--
Allllen


"Candace" wrote:

I need a custom format that puts a number in parentheses whether it is
positive or not. I cannot treat the cell as a text cell and just enter the
parentheses manually, because I need to use the number from this cell in a
computation. It appears that all of the custom formats provided (listed under
the "Number" tab of the "Format Cells" dialog box) only apply parentheses if
the number is negative. Any ideas?