Can only numbers be aligned (column)even if parentheses are used?

[jen]

I have columns of numbers in a table that I need to align. However, some of
these numbers have parentheses around them and I only want to align the
digits. Is this possible to do without having to manually space each cell?

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

Have you tried setting a decimal tab in the column?

 

[jen]

I have and it still doesn't seem to want to line up. The parentheses move
with the numbers. Thanks for your suggestion though.

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

I tried my suggestion before posting it, and in my experience,
the numbers right-align on the unitary digit. Not sure what you
mean by "the parentheses move with the numbers"... I would think
that to be desirable, because otherwise you might end up with
parentheses in the middle of a number.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Use a decimal tab stop. The numbers will be aligned on the decimal point or
where one would be if there were one--in other words, on the first
nonnumeric character aside from the thousands separator. This allows letters
and punctuation marks to the right of numbers to "hang" out. In a table, a
tab character is not required; just set the tab stop in left-aligned text,
and it will snap to the decimal tab stop automatically. See
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/SettingTabs.htm

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[jen]

Thanks again. The decimal tab had been set for right-aligned text. I will
try this.