Hi everyone,

I just did a 'prove it' online excel test, where an interface similar
to excel is presented to the user and the user is asked to perform
certain functions. If you click on a menu item/button that does not
need to be used to achieve the function, then the program interrupts
you.

One of the questions was change the formatting so that negative
numbers appear with braces. Now, I could have sworn it was an option
under format cells/currency, but if I click there I only get four
options: black with preceding minus sign, red, black with preceding
negative sign (again), red with preceding negative sign. The interface
didn't let me click on 'Number' or 'Custom' (and thus a custom format
could not be chosen), and of course since it was a simulated
environment, I couldn't change any windows regional settings.

Is there any other way to make negative numbers display with brackets?
The sample was ([pound sign]-50.00), so the test was definitely asking
for a currency-type format.

Taras

If negative brackets are not available in the NumberNegative Numbers or
Currency dialog.

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

StartSettingsControl PanelRegional and Language SettingsRegional
OptionsCustomizeCurrencyNegative 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 OKApply your way out.


Gord Dibben Excel MVP

On Mon, 12 May 2008 22:23:59 -0700 (PDT), Taras_96 wrote:

Hi everyone,

I just did a 'prove it' online excel test, where an interface similar
to excel is presented to the user and the user is asked to perform
certain functions. If you click on a menu item/button that does not
need to be used to achieve the function, then the program interrupts
you.

One of the questions was change the formatting so that negative
numbers appear with braces. Now, I could have sworn it was an option
under format cells/currency, but if I click there I only get four
options: black with preceding minus sign, red, black with preceding
negative sign (again), red with preceding negative sign. The interface
didn't let me click on 'Number' or 'Custom' (and thus a custom format
could not be chosen), and of course since it was a simulated
environment, I couldn't change any windows regional settings.

Is there any other way to make negative numbers display with brackets?
The sample was ([pound sign]-50.00), so the test was definitely asking
for a currency-type format.

Taras

On May 13, 5:11 pm, Gord Dibben <gorddibbATshawDOTca wrote:
If negative brackets are not available in the NumberNegative Numbers or
Currency dialog.

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

StartSettingsControl PanelRegional and Language SettingsRegional
OptionsCustomizeCurrencyNegative 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 OKApply your way out.

Gord Dibben Excel MVP


I was actually in a simulated environment so I didn't have access to
the regional and language settings - is there some way from within
excel without defining a custom formula?

No.


Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Tue, 20 May 2008 08:34:40 -0700 (PDT), Taras_96 wrote:

I was actually in a simulated environment so I didn't have access to
the regional and language settings - is there some way from within
excel without defining a custom formula?

On May 20, 6:54 pm, Gord Dibben <gorddibbATshawDOTca wrote:
No.

Gord Dibben MS Excel MVP

On Tue, 20 May 2008 08:34:40 -0700 (PDT), Taras_96 wrote:
I was actually in a simulated environment so I didn't have access to
the regional and language settings - is there some way from within
excel without defining a custom formula?

Hmm, interesting - the test had an unanswerable question!


Thanks Gord for your help!

Taras