How do I align the figures when using brackets as a negative numbe

[Guest]

I need to use brackets instead of -sign for negative numbers and need to
align the figures, but excel aligns using the brackets. I need columns of
figures to look like

(1,244.00)
2,123.00
(123.00) etc
Can this be done?
Thanks

 

[Richard Neville]

Use Format-Cells, number tab, and select the Accounting option. You can then
use or not use the $ sign and decimals.

 

[Dave Peterson]

Or you could use your own custom format:

select your range
format|cells|number tab|custom category
in the type box:
_(#,##0.00_);(#,##0.00);_(#,##0.00_);@


the _ means to reserve room for the next character--but don't show it.

And the format is 4 parts:

positive numbers ; negative numbers; 0 ; text

When I did accounting, I saw this format:

_(* #,##0.00_);_(* (#,##0.00);_(* "-"??_);_(@_)


You could use any one you want--and even modify that built in format.