The Numeric format dialog box defines numeric display parameters for worksheet cells. These formats apply to both numeric quantities inserted manually and to formulas resulting in numeric values. There are five different types of cell content: empty, text-filled, containing a formula resulting in text, number-filled, or containing a formula resulting in a numeric value. Dates, time, Boolean values, days of the week and months of the year are included as numeric values.

Screen shot: Numeric format dialog box.

Left Portion of the Dialog Box:

• The pulldown list of Format Types allows the user to choose only selected number formats from the list. The elements from this list are:
   
  • All types: displays all available number formats on the list.
     
  • Numbers: displays all available number formats for simple numeric values.
     
  • Units: displays all number formats requiring an identifying unit (monetary formats, for example).
     
  • Scientific: displays all number formats displaying numeric values in an exponential form (for example: 1.123E+15).
     
  • Percentage: displays all number formats displaying percentage values (numbers followed by % sign). Numeric values displayed in this mode are automatically multiplied by 100 (0,15 will be displayed: 15%).
     
  • Fractions: displays all number formats with numeric fractions. (0,125 will be displayed as 1/8).
     
  • Boolean Values: display all number formats using Boolean values. Boolean numbers may consist only of two options: False if the number is 0 or True if it is not 0.
     
  • Days of the Week: Displays all number formats displaying the names of days of the week. ("Monday" for example). A 0 (zero) value corresponds to Sunday, a one (1) to Monday, etc.
     
  • Months of the Year: Displays all number formats displaying the names of months of the year. ("January" for example). A 1 (one) value represents January, 2 (two) February, etc.
     
  • Time: Displays all number formats displaying time (14:21:12PM for example) Time is kept on the fractional portion of a number: a thousandth of one second equals: 1/(24*60*60*1000); a minute equals 1/(24*60) and an hour is 1/24.
     
  • Dates: Display all number formats displaying dates (25/12/1995 for example). Dates are kept as a fractional portion of a number and reflect the number of days since January 1, 2000 (dates prior to 2000 are displayed as negative.)
     
  • Dates and Times: Displays all number formats showing dates followed by time (25/12/1995 14:21 PM for example).
     
• The list indicates pre-defined numeric formats. When selecting an item from the list, its characteristics appear on the right. Several formats may be selected by using the CTRL key, as long as the chosen format filter is not All Types
   
• The text field at the bottom of the list permits the user to change the name of the numeric format selected.
   
• The Add Format button creates a new numeric format. By default this new format will have the same characteristics as the selected format and the same name followed by a number.
   
• The Delete Format button deletes a numeric format. All formats are not available for deletion (there must remain at least one of each format type) and the user may not delete a format in current use.
   

• A horizontal toolbar to alter the contents of the Configuration section. The number and types of buttons on this bar differ according to the type of numeric format selected.
   
• The Configuration section allows the user to see and change certain characteristics of the selected numeric format. The contents of this section differ according to the button selected from the horizontal bar described above.
   
• The Preview section contains a non-editable text field. This gives the user a preview of the selected numeric format. The preview number is either a predefined, constant number, or the value of the active cell from the worksheet.
   

• Numbers, the toolbar's buttons are Display and Colors.
   
• Units, the toolbar's buttons are Colors, Display and Units.
   
• Scientific, the toolbar's buttons are Display, Colors and Units.
   
• Percentage, the toolbar's buttons are Display and Colors.
   
• Fractions, the toolbar's buttons are Display, Colors and Units.
   
• Boolean Values, the toolbar's buttons are Text and Colors.
   
• Days of the Week, the toolbar's button is Style.
   
• Months of the year, the toolbar's button is Style.
   
• Time, the toolbar's button is Time.
   
• Dates, the toolbar's button is Date.
   
• Dates and Times, the toolbar's buttons are Date and Time.
   

Note: When either the Date or Time button is selected, the text field in the preview section can be modified manually.

Lower Portion of the Dialog Box:

• "Apply" accepts all modifications carried out on the format list and applies the last selected numeric format to the selected cell regions. The box is then closed.
   
• "Ok" accepts all the modifications carried out on the numeric format list and closes the box. All numeric values using modified formats will be updated automatically.
   
• "Cancel" cancels all operations to the numeric format list and closes the box.