Formatting Table Cell Values for Display
You can apply a format to a cell to display its value in a particular way. For example,
you can apply the currency format to cells that hold monetary values so that a
currency symbol (such as $, £, or ¥) appears in front of numbers in the cells.
When you use a cell format, you are setting only the display characteristics of a value.
When the value is used in formulas, the actual value is used, not the formatted value.
The only exception is when there are too many numbers following a decimal point, in
which case the number is rounded.
Here are ways to work with cell formats:
You apply cell formats by selecting one or more cells and then using the Cell Format
m
pop-up menu in the Table inspector’s Format pane.
To add a value to an empty cell that has a format, select the cell and enter a value. The
m
format is applied when you leave the cell.
If you delete a value from a cell with a format, the cell’s format isn’t deleted. To delete
m
the format, apply the automatic format. To delete the value and format, choose Edit >
Clear All.
After you define a cell format, you can associate the format with multiple cells by using
m
autofilling. See “Autofilling Table Cells” on page 193 for instructions.
Use this cell format
When you want to
Learn more here
automatic
Automatically format
content based on the
characters it contains
“Using the Automatic Format in
Table Cells” on page 202
number
Format the display of a
number’s decimal places,
thousands separator, and
negative values
“Using the Number Format in
Table Cells” on page 203
currency
Format the display of
monetary values
“Using the Currency Format in
Table Cells” on page 204
Use this cell format
When you want to
Learn more here
percentage
Display numeric values followed
by the % symbol
“Using the Percentage Format in
Table Cells” on page 204
date and time
Format how date and time
values are displayed
“Using the Date and Time
Format in Table Cells” on
page 205
duration
Format the display of week,
day, hour, minute, second, and
microsecond values
“Using the Duration Format in
Table Cells” on page 205
fraction
Format the display of any part
of a value smaller than 1
“Using the Fraction Format in
Table Cells” on page 205
numeral system
Format the display of numbers
using the conventions of a
particular numeral system (such
as decimal or binary)
“Using the Numeral System
Format in Table Cells” on
page 206
scientific
Format the display of numbers
using an exponent raised by the
power of 10
“Using the Scientific Format in
Table Cells” on page 206
text
Display cell content exactly as
you type it
“Using the Text Format in Table
Cells” on page 207
custom
Define your own cell format
“Using Your Own Formats for
Displaying Values in Table
Cells” on page 207