cells with zero value are shown as blank, not zero

[Jeffrey]

My company uses an excel spreadsheet for estimating. The person that created
the sheet is unavailable. Somehow, he set the sheet up so that if you type a
zero or the formula results in a zero, the cell is blank. I compared two
sheets within the same workbook side by side, and when I was finished the
frozen panes were unfrozen, and the cells all had zeros where applicable.
Here is what I done to figure out how this book was originally set up: 1) If
conditional formatting is used to make all cells with zeros use a white font
on white background, then when you select the cells the zeros will show up;
therefore, this is not what was used. 2) Formulas that use the "" instead of
zero result in a blank cell; however, all of this guys formulas use a zero,
not "", and even cells without formulas will hide the zero when typed in
manually.

I cannot seem to find any other methods of hiding zeros; any suggestions?
And why is it that this occurs (and is repeatable) when creating a new window
(window -> new window)? I can send copies of both examples if anyone
requests.

 

[tim m]

did you try 'tools'....'options'.....and then 'zero values' check box? Zeros
will appear or not appear depending on whether that box is checked or not
checked.

 

[Bernard Liengme]

Since this sounds like an older file, I will assume Excel 2003
Use Tools | Options and open the View tab
At the bottom, near centre, look for Zero Values box
Should be checked if zeros are to be displayed; unchecked if they are to be
hidden
best wishes