Cell formatting disappears

[alta]

Hi Im new to excel.................Im running excel 7.
Helping a friend do some accounts, and im so frustrated as I have done the format....cells.......number, and made sure there are 2 decimal points, but after 4/5 inputs it reverts back to normal numbers, let me give an example..............

i want the numbers like this 435.90, or 145.00 but it keeps coming up with 439.9 or 145...ist so annoying what am I doing wrong please?

[Palmetto]

Are you entering the numbers directly into the cells or are you copying and pasting them into the cell?

The format should not change if the numbers are directly entered, but if you are copying and pasting numbers from another source, the choose the Paste Special > Values option to preserve formatting.

If this doesn't help, perhaps you can post the problem workbook? Does this problem manifest itself in a fresh workbook?

[alta]

I am putting the numbers directly into the cells. I dont know how to paste the workbook im afraid, I will try the paste special.

[contaminated]

Seelct your cells press ctrl+1>Number tab> Number> selct 2 decimal plces.

[Palmetto]

but after 4/5 inputs it reverts back to normal numbers

Did you format all of the cells that will be used to receive the input?

The default format for all cells is "General" until changed. If you move to a cell outside the range of those that had been formatted per your choice, then entries in those cells will have the General format, which means Excel will decide how to best display the entry.

Select the entire range of cell that you want to have the number format and format them again. Select a few hundred extra rows to give yourself a buffer.

[alta]

Thanks Palmetto..Just what I needed an easy solution.