Working with numeric formats
Quattro Pro uses two types of numeric formats: number formats and date/time formats. Numeric formats do not change cell values; they change only the way values display.
When you type numbers, Quattro Pro by default rounds off fractional numbers as necessary to fit in the cell. You can change the numeric format of a cell to accommodate, for example, scientific, currency, decimal, and percent formats.
Quattro Pro lets you hide all values that equal zero on a spreadsheet. Hiding zeros does not remove zero values from the sheet; rather, zeros remain in memory and will display if you choose to unhide them. It is easy to accidentally overwrite cells containing formulas that evaluate to zero. To prevent this, make sure you are able to undo actions or consider protecting the spreadsheet.
Quattro Pro also lets you change the number of decimal places in a value.
For information about undoing actions, see “Undoing actions.” For information about protecting a spreadsheet, see “Protecting data.”
Quattro Pro lets you format dates and times in a spreadsheet. For example, by default, Quattro Pro displays times in long form as HH:MM:SS (for example, 09:32:30), or in short form as HH:MM (for example, 09:32) when no seconds are specified, but you can change this format. You can also change the default date format or change the short date style.
For more information about time formats, see “Default date and time formats.”
To change the numeric format of a cell |  |
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1.
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Select a cell.
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2.
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Click Format
 Selection properties. |
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3.
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Click the Numeric format tab.
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4.
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Choose one of the following formats from the Numeric formats list:
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General — to display numbers exactly as you type them (unless the column width is too narrow)
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Number — to choose a negative number and number of decimal places formats, and separate thousands with commas.
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Currency — to choose a country whose currency symbol you want to use
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Scientific — to display numbers as scientific notations
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Fraction — to choose a fraction format
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Hidden — to prevent a cell from displaying its contents
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Percent — to display numbers in a percent format
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Custom — to choose a customized format
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Enabling the Hidden option, hides cells. To prevent cells from being accidentally overwritten, protect the cells by locking them. For information about locking cells see “To protect all spreadsheet cells.”
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To hide zeros on a spreadsheet | |
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1.
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Click Format
Sheet properties. |
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2.
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Click the Display tab.
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3.
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Enable the No option in the Display zeros area.
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To change the number of decimal places in a value | |
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1.
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Select a cell.
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2.
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On the property bar, click the Change the number of decimal places
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3.
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Type a value in the box.
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4.
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Press Enter.
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You can also
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Increase the decimal place by one
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Click the Up arrow.
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Decrease the decimal place by one
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Click the Down arrow.
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To format dates and times | |
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1.
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Select a cell to format.
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2.
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Click Format
Selection properties. |
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3.
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Click the Numeric format tab.
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4.
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Click one of the following formats from the Numeric formats list:
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Date — lets you choose a date format from the Date formats options
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Time — lets you choose a time format from the Time formats options
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In order to format dates to properly display in a chart, you need to change the numeric format for x and y axes to Date. For more information about changing the numeric format of the chart axes, see “Setting the numeric format for the x and y axes.”
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To change the default date format | |
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1.
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Click Tools
Settings. |
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2.
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In the list of categories, double-click Workspace, Customization, and click International.
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3.
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Enable the Date format option from the Selection area.
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4.
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Enable one of the date format options in the Date format area.
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To change the short date style | |
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1.
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Click Start
Settings Control panel. |
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2.
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Double-click Regional settings.
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3.
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Click the Date tab.
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4.
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Choose a date format from the Short date style list box.
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