Excel - Numbers Formatting with Decimal Places

SYMPTOM

When entering numbers into excel they are being formatted with a decimal place. For example if you enter 1 it is getting formatted as .01.

CAUSE

This behavior is caused by a setting contained in the Excel Options menu.

SOLUTION

To fix the problem perform the following based on your version of Excel:

• Office 2007/2010/2013
• Office X/2001/XP/2003

Office 2007/2010/2013

1. Open Excel.

2. This step is dependent on the version of Excel you are using.

   • Excel 2010/2013 - Go to File -> Options
   • Excel 2007 - Go to Office Button -> Excel Options
   
   

3. Select Advanced in the left hand column.



4. Uncheck Automatically insert a decimal point.



5. Click OK

Office X/2001/XP/2003

1. Open Excel.

2. This step is dependent on the version of Excel you are using.

   • Excel 2003 - Go to Tools -> Options
   • Excel XP - Go to Tools -> Options
   • Excel 2001 - Go to Edit -> Preferences
   • Excel X - Go to Excel -> Preferences
   
   

3. Select the Edit tab.



4. Uncheck Fixed Decimal Places:.



5. Click OK.