Default Number Formats

You can change the way numbers, currency values, and dates are displayed, or you can create new custom formats. Use the Numbers tab of the Default Fonts and Styles dialog box to specify default settings for number formats.

Table 4. Default Number Formats

Field	Description
Select a Formatting Locale	Sets the locale or country associated with the default format to use. The locale determines the available number, date, and currency formats.
Date	Sets the default date format.
Timestamp	Sets the default time and date format for the timestamp. The timestamp is a set of characters in sequential order which show the date and time on which an event occurred. This information is used for tracking events.
Time	Sets the default time format.
Month (For “Add Date Groups”)	Sets the default month format for the month used in tge Add Date Groups.
Null	Sets the default format for null values. Null values are empty values for which no data exists. Null values are not equal to zero.
Real	Sets the default format for real values.
Integer	Sets the default format for integer values.

Table 5 lists the numeric field options and definitions along with examples.

Table 5. Number Field Descriptions

Option	Description	Examples
0	Integer placeholder or zero value. If a number has an integer value in this position relative to the decimal point, the integer is displayed. Otherwise, a zero is displayed.	Apply 0 to show 123 Apply 0.00 to show 123.45
#	Integer placeholder. If a number has an integer value in this position relative to the decimal point, the integer is displayed. Otherwise, nothing is displayed.	Apply #,##0 to show 1,234
( )	Formats with parenthesis options display negative values in parentheses. Otherwise, negative values display with a minus sign.	Apply (#,##0) to show (1,234)
;	A semicolon operates as a separator between two number formats. The semicolon separates a positive integer and a negative integer.	Apply #, ##0;(#,##0) to show 1, 234 or apply (1, 234) for a negative number
$ %	Adds the respective character to numeric values in the same position relative to the decimal point.	Apply $#,##0.00 to show $1,234.56 Apply 0% to show 3%
m d yy	Displays month, day, and year in respective positions for date-coded information.	Apply mm dd yy to show 05 07 99
- /	Adds the respective character to date-coded values in the same position relative to variables.	Apply mm/dd/yy to show 06/23/99
HH MM SS	Displays hour, minute, and second in respective positions for date-coded information.	Apply HH:MM:SS to show 17:45:10
AM PM	Adds the respective character to time-coded values in the same position relative to variables.	Apply HH:MM:SS AM to show 17:45:10 AM

To change a default number format:

Select Tools, then Options, and then Defaults Formats.
Select the Numbers tab.
Make the desired selections and click OK.