Easy Excel Shortcut to Apply Comma Style to Numbers without Decimal

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Are you tired of manually formatting numbers in Excel to display them with commas but without decimals? Fortunately, there’s a quick and easy shortcut that can save you time and effort. In this article, we’ll show you how to use the Excel shortcut to apply comma style to numbers without decimal points. We’ll also explore alternate methods to achieve the same result.

Understanding Number Formatting in Excel

Before we dive into the shortcut, let’s briefly discuss number formatting in Excel. Excel offers various formatting options to display numbers in different styles, such as currency, percentage, and comma style. These formatting options help make your data more readable and presentable.

Common Number Formatting Styles

Here are some of the most commonly used number formatting styles in Excel:

FormatDescriptionExample
GeneralDefault format, displays numbers as entered1234.56
NumberDisplays numbers with comma separators and two decimal places1,234.56
CurrencyDisplays numbers with currency symbols and two decimal places$1,234.56
AccountingSimilar to Currency, but aligns currency symbols and decimal points$ 1,234.56
PercentageDisplays numbers as percentages with two decimal places123456%
Comma StyleDisplays numbers with comma separators, but without decimal places1,235

Custom Number Formatting

In addition to the built-in formatting styles, Excel allows you to create custom number formats. Custom formats give you more control over how your numbers are displayed, including the use of special characters, colors, and conditions.

To create a custom number format:

  1. Select the cells you want to format.
  2. Right-click and choose “Format Cells” from the context menu, or press Ctrl + 1.
  3. In the Format Cells dialog box, click on the “Number” tab.
  4. Select “Custom” from the category list.
  5. Enter your desired format code in the “Type” field. For example, to display numbers with commas and without decimal points, you can use the format code “#,##0”.
  6. Click “OK” to apply the custom format.

Custom number formatting provides flexibility and allows you to tailor the appearance of your numbers to suit your specific needs.

The Excel Shortcut for Applying Comma Style

Now that you understand the basics of number formatting, let’s focus on the shortcut to apply comma style to numbers without decimal points.

Step 1: Select the Cells

First, select the cells containing the numbers you want to format. You can click and drag to select a range of cells or use the Ctrl/Cmd key to select non-adjacent cells.

Step 2: Press Ctrl + Shift + !

With the cells selected, press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + ! (exclamation mark). This shortcut applies the comma style formatting to the selected cells, displaying the numbers with commas and without decimal points.

Step 3: Verify the Results

After applying the shortcut, verify that the numbers in the selected cells are displayed with commas and without decimal points. If the formatting looks correct, you’re done!

Alternate Methods to Apply Comma Style Formatting

While the shortcut is the quickest way to apply comma style formatting, there are other methods you can use to achieve the same result.

Method 1: Using the Format Cells Dialog Box

  1. Select the cells you want to format.
  2. Right-click and choose “Format Cells” from the context menu, or press Ctrl + 1.
  3. In the Format Cells dialog box, click on the “Number” tab.
  4. Select “Number” from the category list.
  5. In the “Decimal places” field, enter “0”.
  6. Check the “Use 1000 Separator (,)” option.
  7. Click “OK” to apply the formatting.

This method allows you to access additional formatting options, such as specifying the number of decimal places and using different thousand separators.

Method 2: Using the Ribbon

  1. Select the cells you want to format.
  2. Go to the “Home” tab on the Excel ribbon.
  3. In the “Number” group, click on the dropdown arrow next to the “Number Format” button.
  4. Select “Number” from the dropdown menu.
  5. Click on the “Decrease Decimal” button (the arrow pointing to the left) until the decimal places are removed.
  6. Click on the “Comma Style” button (,) to apply the comma separator.

Using the ribbon provides a visual way to apply formatting and allows you to preview the changes before committing to them.

Method 3: Using the Quick Access Toolbar

If you frequently use the comma style formatting, you can add the “Comma Style” button to the Quick Access Toolbar for easy access.

  1. Click on the dropdown arrow next to the Quick Access Toolbar (located above the ribbon).
  2. Select “More Commands” from the dropdown menu.
  3. In the Excel Options dialog box, choose “All Commands” from the “Choose commands from” dropdown.
  4. Scroll down and select “Comma Style” from the list of commands.
  5. Click “Add” to add the “Comma Style” button to the Quick Access Toolbar.
  6. Click “OK” to close the Excel Options dialog box.

Now you can simply select the cells and click on the “Comma Style” button in the Quick Access Toolbar to apply the formatting.

Benefits of Using the Comma Style Shortcut

Using the comma style shortcut in Excel offers several benefits:

  1. Time-saving: Manually formatting numbers can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with large datasets. The shortcut allows you to apply the desired formatting quickly and efficiently.
  2. Consistency: By using the shortcut, you ensure that all numbers are formatted consistently throughout your worksheet, improving readability and professionalism.
  3. Ease of use: The shortcut is simple and easy to remember, making it accessible to users of all skill levels.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while using the comma style shortcut or alternate methods, consider the following:

Shortcut Not Working

If the shortcut doesn’t seem to work, make sure that:

  • You have selected the correct cells containing the numbers you want to format.
  • You are pressing the correct key combination: Ctrl + Shift + ! (exclamation mark).
  • Your keyboard is functioning properly and the keys are not stuck or malfunctioning.

Numbers Displaying Incorrectly

If the numbers are not displaying as expected after applying the formatting, it could be due to:

  • The cells containing text or other non-numeric values. The comma style formatting only applies to numbers.
  • The cells having custom formatting that overrides the comma style. Clear any existing formatting before applying the shortcut or alternate methods.

Final Thoughts

The Excel shortcut to apply comma style to numbers without decimal points is a quick and easy way to format your numeric data. By pressing Ctrl + Shift + !, you can instantly display numbers with commas and without decimal points, saving time and ensuring consistency in your worksheets.

Additionally, you can use alternate methods such as the Format Cells dialog box, the ribbon, or the Quick Access Toolbar to achieve the same result. Remember to select the correct cells and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. With these formatting techniques in your Excel toolkit, you’ll be able to present your data in a clear and professional manner.

FAQs

What is the shortcut to apply comma style formatting to numbers without decimal points in Excel?

The shortcut to apply comma style formatting to numbers without decimal points in Excel is Ctrl + Shift + ! (exclamation mark). Simply select the cells containing the numbers you want to format and press this keyboard shortcut.

Can I use the comma style shortcut on cells containing text or non-numeric values?

No, the comma style shortcut only works on cells containing numeric values. If you try to apply the shortcut to cells with text or other non-numeric values, the formatting will not be applied.

What should I do if the comma style shortcut is not working?

If the comma style shortcut is not working, make sure that:

  • You have selected the correct cells containing the numbers you want to format.
  • You are pressing the correct key combination: Ctrl + Shift + ! (exclamation mark).
  • Your keyboard is functioning properly and the keys are not stuck or malfunctioning.

Are there any alternate methods to apply comma style formatting in Excel?

Yes, there are alternate methods to apply comma style formatting in Excel:

  1. Using the Format Cells dialog box (Ctrl + 1)
  2. Using the ribbon in the “Home” tab, under the “Number” group
  3. Adding the “Comma Style” button to the Quick Access Toolbar

How can I ensure consistency when formatting numbers with comma style in Excel?

To ensure consistency when formatting numbers with comma style in Excel, use the shortcut or one of the alternate methods consistently throughout your worksheet. This will help maintain readability and professionalism in your data presentation. Additionally, consider creating a custom number format to apply comma style formatting automatically to new entries.

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2 Comments

  1. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+! works as expected, but with button “Comma Style” there is an additional spacing added right of the number.
    Q1: Why is this happening, how can it be turned off?
    Q2: Where is this format setting – I see in “Text alignment”.”Horizontal”: “General” with Indent 0
    Q2: With “Text alignment”.”Horizontal”: “Right (Indent)” with Indent 1 (what is the minimum) the spacing is much more than from “Comma Style” button.

    1. To answer your queries,

      Q1: Why is this happening, how can it be turned off?
      A1: The additional spacing to the right of the number when using the “Comma Style” button is due to Excel’s built-in formatting for this style. The “Comma Style” button applies the “Accounting” number format, which includes a space after the number to accommodate the potential negative sign (e.g., -1,234.00).
      To remove this extra space, you can create a custom number format:

      Select the cells you want to format.
      Right-click and choose “Format Cells” (or press Ctrl+1).
      In the “Number” tab, select “Custom” from the “Category” list.
      In the “Type” field, enter the following format: #,##0.00_ (underscore at the end)
      Click “OK” to apply the custom format.

      The underscore (_) at the end of the format code tells Excel to replace the space with an underscore, which is not visible.

      Q2: Where is this format setting – I see in “Text alignment”.”Horizontal”: “General” with Indent 0
      A2: The “Horizontal” alignment setting is found in the “Alignment” tab of the “Format Cells” dialog box. When set to “General,” the indent value is not applicable, and the number is aligned based on its format (text is left-aligned, numbers are right-aligned).

      Q3: With “Text alignment”.”Horizontal”: “Right (Indent)” with Indent 1 (what is the minimum) the spacing is much more than from “Comma Style” button.
      A3: When the “Horizontal” alignment is set to “Right (Indent)” with an indent value of 1, the spacing is more than the “Comma Style” button because the indent value represents the number of characters (including spaces) that the cell content is indented from the right border of the cell. An indent value of 1 means the number will be shifted one character width to the left from the right border of the cell.
      To achieve the same spacing as the “Comma Style” button with the “Right (Indent)” alignment, you can set the indent value to 0. This will right-align the number without any additional spacing.