Cell Format Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter smackedass
  • Start date Start date
S

smackedass

Is there a way to format a cell, so that I can just enter a number without
having to manually enter a decimal point at the end?

I believe that I've tried it every which way, and it just doesn't happen.
For instance, I'll use the "Number" format, then specify 0 decimal points,
type in "20", and it'll just say "0" (meaning, less than one half). Can I
just enter "20", and have it appear as "20"?

I only need to enter whole numbers in these cells. I know that it's easy
enough to just type the decimal point at the end, but am curious if I can
just enter whole numbers without entering the decimal point.

Thanks.

smackedass
 
There's no requirement that you type a decimal point when entering a whole number. But you
should not have Fixed Decimal checked (in Tools/Options/Edit)
 
Thank you, Myrna and David!

I should've come here right away, instead of wasting 45 minutes of my
life...

smackedass
 
no, you were right to try. You would have been even more right to spend some
time in the Excel help. However, it is nice that you got the answer to your
question, even if you could have found it pretty easily in help or in the
knowledgebase or even in old NG postings.
Richard Choate

Thank you, Myrna and David!

I should've come here right away, instead of wasting 45 minutes of my
life...

smackedass
 
I would tend to agree with you on that. I had tried your own words
and entered into a Google Groups search -- find all words
numbers without entering the decimal point

It did come up with a reference to the Option
Options, Edit, (check/uncheck) fixed decimal places
but from the other side -- someone who wanted the option.
Of course after 12 hours someone entering those words might
see this thread in a Google Groups search
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/xlnews.htm
http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search?q=group:*Excel*&num=100

Actually you would probably find the answer to such a question in
any FAQ that anyone has for Excel (there is nothing official)
Excel FAQs list of FAQ by John Walkenbach. .
http://www.j-walk.com/ss/excel/faqs/index.htm
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft Excel
Debra Dalgleish's site, contributions gathered by Harald Staff
http://www.contextures.com/xlfaqApp.html (see item #5)

Your question was a bit unusual in that most people with the problem
had not discovered the difference between including a decimal point
and not including a decimal point in trying to discover the problem and
solution. Also unusual in that you had probably formatted the
cell to show only whole numbers; whereas, the others would see
the inserted decimal point.
 
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