Formatting inconsistencies using the comma button

[Guest]

Hi --

All I want to do is consistently be able to sum up a column of numbers into
a cell and throw commas onto the summed number and still have it centered
like the rest of the column. I can get it to work sometimes -- but other
times -- after I use the comma button -- the sum number right-justifies
automatically and I can't center it. I can't see why one document will allow
me to center the comma'd number while the other won't. These are plain
numbers -- not monetary values.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Dave O]

On my version of Excel the comma button applies "Accounting" format to
the cell with commas and 2 decimal places. Can't explain why you're
not able to center a Comma-d cell, unless it's because the number is
too wide and when you center it, it does in fact center but makes no
apparent move within the cell because of its length.

Options:
~ Install a "Format Painter" button, pre-loaded with Excel but not
necessarily showing yet: you'd need to enable it. Then click the Sigma
button to add up a column, and use the format painter to format the
painter as other cells are formatted.
~ Click the column and format everything at once.
~ Create your own button to use instead of the comma button (this takes
some doing).

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave --

Thanks for the insight and suggestions. After tinkering a bit -- I saw that
-- yes -- the comma button does do the standard accounting format whereas if
you go into Format > Cells > Number Tab > Number selection in the toolbar and
then click on the "Use 1000 separator" box. When I do that -- I get my commas
with no change in justification. So -- I'm doing that for now. A little
ham-handed -- but it gets what I want done. When I have more time -- I'll do
something more effective like what you have suggested.

Thanks again!

 

[Debra Dalgleish]

The Accounting format that's applied with the Comma button includes a *
character, followed by a space. That adds space characters to the
format, to fill the column width, which is why you can't centre it.