Applying parenthesis to a cell that is formularized?

**Jwan830** · 12-03-2010, 06:38 PM

Hey guys I'm totally new to Excel

Here is my first question, how do you apply parenthesis to a cell, where a number is generated by a formula? i.e. b2 = 100 b3 = 50, how do you apply a pair of parenthesis to b4 where b4 =b2-b3 ?

Thanks a lot

P.S. = the format of the cell is accounting and how do you put a $ sign in there?

**alansidman** · 12-03-2010, 06:46 PM

This is done through formatting. In 2007, click on the home tab on the ribbon. Click on the small arrow in the lower right corner of the Font section. Click on Number. Select currency. Select how you wish your cell to look.

Alan

**DanExel** · 12-04-2010, 05:51 AM

If you need to have the value of b4 in perenthesis ie. (20) then your formula should look like this:
b4="("&b2-b3&")"

**davesexcel** · 12-04-2010, 05:57 AM

Just right click on the cell, select Format cells, Number, Currency, select the format you want.

I am assuming you want to show parenthesis when the value is negative.

**DanExel** · 12-04-2010, 06:12 AM

There dont seem be the option to have negative values in perenthesis anymore.
This is more aquestion than a statement.

**Marcol** · 12-04-2010, 06:35 AM

Maybe
Format > Custom

_-$* #,##0.00_-;_-$* (#,##0.00);_-$* #,##0.00_-;_-@_-

Hope this helps

**davesexcel** · 12-04-2010, 06:53 AM

That's strange,
Check this picture out
http://www.excelforum.com/members/da...t-currency.jpg

That pic was kind of small, try this

http://www.excelforum.com/members/da...-currency.html

**martindwilson** · 12-04-2010, 06:59 AM

#,##0.00;[Red](#,##0.00);0

**Marcol** · 12-04-2010, 07:21 AM

Hmmm?

@ davesexcel
I thought that was a possibility, but the option doesn't seem to be in my version.

I can't select a $ sign on its' own.

I seem to remember this option on other machines, is it a set-up thing?

**davesexcel** · 12-04-2010, 07:40 AM

that's Interesting,
Did you notice mine reads
$ English(U.S.)
and your reads
$ English(United States) ,and doesn't have the parenthesis option, just shows the same format twice

------------------------------------------------------------
I did a little experiment, went to control panel and set my regional settings to English(UK), i assume that's what your settings would be.
I went to format cells and came up with the same image as yours

**martindwilson** · 12-04-2010, 07:42 AM

-ve in parenthesis is also settable in regional options from control panel

**DanExel** · 12-06-2010, 04:35 AM

Custom format, then modify an existing format to $ # ##0.00;$(# ##0.00) works well.

**Marcol** · 12-06-2010, 06:02 AM

I thought this thread was getting a bit long for following easily, so I have put the various custom formats offered into one worksheet for you to compare.

Remember the settings options offered in posts #10 & 11