If you are working on a spreadsheet and want to display the numbers as currency, you can do so with ease in MS Excel. There are three ways to format numbers as financial values, and display a currency symbol. We will walk you through these methods step-by-step, as it applies to Microsoft Excel 2016 and 2019.
3 Methods of Formatting Numbers as Currency in Microsoft Excel
- Use the number format drop-down list
- Use the accounting number format
- Use the format cells dialogue box
Let us begin.
Method #1: Use the Number Format Drop-down List
When you type text or numbers in a new spreadsheet, Excel applies the default format General. As you continue to work, you can change the format.
Step #1: Open a spreadsheet.
Open a new Excel sheet or open an existing spreadsheet where you want to format the numbers to currency.
In our example, we will use an existing spreadsheet to calculate monthly expenses.
Step #2: Review the current format
In our example, you will see Excel has set the format of the numbers to General.
In the Home tab ribbon, in the Number section, the Number Format drop-down box displays ‘General.’
Step #3: Select the cells
Select the range of cells with numbers to which you want to apply the currency format.
To select the cells in each column, hold the mouse button down and drag the cursor across the numbers in each column.
Release the mouse button when all the numbers have been selected – they will be dark grey with a green border around them.
Step #4: Select the currency format from the drop-down
Click on the Home tab and go to the Number Format drop-down box in the Number section.
Click on the down arrow of the drop-down box to display the list of options.
Select Currency. Excel applies the decimal points to the numbers and adds a currency indicator.
Note: Windows sets the data based on your region. In our example, the region format is set as India, and the Indian Rupee symbol is used for currency.
Method #2: Use the Accounting Number Format
Like the Currency format, Accounting format can also display financial symbols. But there are noticeable differences between the formats.
- Alignment: Aligns the decimal points of the numbers and the currency symbol in a column.
- Zero displays as Dash (-): Zeros in a cell are displayed as a – (dash)
- Negative numbers display in parentheses (): if you use negative numbers, Excel will display them in parentheses ().
Step #1: Open a spreadsheet
Open a new Excel sheet or open an existing spreadsheet where you want to format the numbers to currency.
In our example, we will use an existing spreadsheet to calculate monthly expenses. Like the spreadsheet in Method #1, but we replace the numbers in cells D8 and G7 with 0 (zero).
Step #2: Select the cells
Select the numbers in each column to convert to currency.
Click your mouse on B3, hold the mouse button down and drag the cursor across the numbers in each column.
Release the mouse button when all the numbers have been selected – they will be dark grey with a green border around them.
Step #3: Select the currency format from the tooltip
Click on the Home tab to ensure you view the Home Ribbon and navigate to the Number section.
Hover the mouse pointer over the different icons to see their names. Select the Account Number Format icon, which looks like money.
Click on the drop-down arrow on the Account Number Format 
Once you have selected the preferred currency, the numbers on your sheet will change to the Accounting format.
You can also click on the Account Number Format icon, and not the drop-down. This will change the currency to your local currency, with the accounting format.
Step #4: Review the changes
Notice the changes in the spreadsheet.
In cells D8 and G7, 0 (zero) is replaced with – (dash).
The format aligns the decimal points of the numbers and the currency symbol.
Method #3: Use the Format Cells Dialog Box
This method also provides extra settings, such as how to display negative numbers and how many digits to display after the decimal point.
Step #1: Open a spreadsheet
Open a new Excel sheet or open an existing spreadsheet where you want to format the numbers to currency.
In our example, we will use an existing spreadsheet to calculate monthly expenses.
Step #2: Select the cells to format
Select the range of cells with numbers to which you want to apply the currency format.
To select the cells in each column, hold the mouse button down and drag the cursor across the numbers in each column.
Release the mouse button when all the numbers have been selected – they will be dark grey with a green border around them.
Step #3: Select the currency format from the right-click menu
Right-click on the selected cells.
A menu will open.
Select Format Cells…
The Format Cells dialog will open.
Or
Click on the small arrow in the corner of the Number group in the Home tab ribbon to display the Format Cells dialog.
Or
Press CTRL and 1 on your keyboard (Ctrl +1) to display the Format Cells dialog.
Step #4: Apply the formatting
In the Format Cells dialog box, select the Number tab.
Under the Category option, select Currency or Accounting. This will format the numbers to currency and display the currency symbol.
You can also change the number of decimal places to display. By default it is 2 digits after the decimal place.
You can select one of the four choices to display the negative numbers in a cell.
Formatting Numbers to Multiple Currencies
You can format numbers in one or more cells and columns to a different currency.
In our example, we select all cells in column G and right click on them to display the Format Cells dialog.
In the Format Cells dialog box, select the Number tab.
Under the Category option, click the down arrow in the Symbol box to display a list of currency symbols.
Scroll down and select another currency, such as $ English (United States).
Click the OK button.
Notice column G now displays the USD currency symbol $.
If you work with different currencies on the same spreadsheet, you can change the currency types in certain columns or rows without affecting other cells.
Conclusion
You can use any of the three methods covered in this tutorial for your spreadsheet. While the first two are very quick to apply, method three provides extra options. Let us know your preferred method and why you think it is better than the other two methods.