Format Settings

Learning Objectives:

Learning the effects of regional Excel format settings.
Understanding how to adjust formatting settings.

Excel provides regional formatting settings for different styles and languages of presenting information.

Regional settings can greatly impact:

Calendar date formatting
Decimal numbers
Default currency formatting
Formula delimiters
- Symbols used to separate arguments in a function
- Most common symbols for delimiters are commas and semicolons

Changing Format Settings

To change the format settings, go to the File menu and click Options. The Options tab will open a dialog box that allows you to choose your regional language settings.

Excel Format Settings example

Warning: Changing the regional format settings will automatically convert any existing values and formulas in your spreadsheet.