Cell formating and contacting Microsoft

[Bob]

Friends,

Can anyone help me with Excel in Office 2003 regarding
cells always using 2 decimal places for numbers,
regardless of the format selected, either "general"
or "numbers". I am missing something. I have cleared all
formats, attempted to clear any worksheet protection, and
tried everything else I know.

When I format as "general", 500 becomes 5, 1 becomes .01,
and 1000 becomes 10, for instance. Formating as "number"
or "currency" or "accounting" will not change the
situation, even when "0" decimal places is selected. In
other words, the only way to change the 2 decimal places
is to increase them above 2, which works. But I can't
reduce below 2.

What could I be missing? I attempted to contact MS by
email but their form won't accept my product ID, copied
exactly (and double-checked) from the Excel product. Does
anyone know a way to get in touch with Microsoft for
assistance?

Thanks very much for a little help!

Bob

 

[Gord Dibben]

Bob

Tools>Options>Edit.

Uncheck "fixed decimal places".

This is a feature used by accountants and people wishing to have quick entry
of numbers.

i.e. enter 1499 and will return 14.99 if "fixed decimal places is set to 2

If set to -3 1499 will return 1499000

Saves typing the . and 000's

Gord Dibben Excel MVP