Skip to main content
  • Login
Cart
Exceljet logo Exceljet
  • Training
  • Videos
  • Functions
  • Formulas
  • Shortcuts
  • Articles
Cart
  • Login
  • Training
  • Videos
  • Functions
  • Formulas
  • Shortcuts
  • Articles
  • Login

You are here

Home › Videos › How to apply general formatting in Excel

How to apply general formatting in Excel

Transcript 

In this lesson we'll take a look at the number format called "General." The General format is Excel's default format for all cells. In a new worksheet, all cells have this format.

Let's take a look.

The General format has just two basic rules. The first rule is that if a number contains decimal places, they will be displayed up to the number that fits inside the column. When the column width is increased or decreased, Excel will adjust the number of visible decimal places automatically. If the width of a column is decreased, the number will be rounded as needed.

The actual cell values remain unchanged.

The second rule is that all leading and trailing zeros are removed, except when the number is between -1 and 1, in which case a leading zero is automatically added.

With larger numbers, you might see Excel switch to the Scientific Notation format to allow the number to fit inside the column.
If you make the column narrow enough, Excel will eventually show only hash symbols, indicating that the column is too narrow to display the number properly.

In this way, the General format is good when you have to display values that have different numbers of decimal places.

Finally, because the General format is Excel's default format, the Clear Formats command will strip all formatting and automatically apply the General number format. If we apply the Accounting format to our numbers, then Clear Formats, we see this in action:

In the same way, applying the General Format is the same as resetting the number format to its default.

Master Excel with practice. Download this worksheet (and dozens more) in our Core Excel course. Learn by doing.

Dave Bruns Profile Picture

Author

Dave Bruns

Hi - I'm Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Award  

Exceljet Training

  • Excel 101
  • Excel Fundamentals
  • Conditional Formatting
  • Essential Formulas
  • Advanced Formulas
  • Pivot Tables
  • Excel Tables
  • Excel Shortcuts
  • Excel Charts
  • Course Bundles
Hey, no question, I just wanted to let you know that your site is amazing and has helped me out so much. Thank you for maintaining such a great resource! It warms my heart to know this is something you accomplish with your partner.
OP
More Testimonials

Get Training

Quick, clean, and to the point training

Learn Excel with high quality video training. Our videos are quick, clean, and to the point, so you can learn Excel in less time, and easily review key topics when needed. Each video comes with its own practice worksheet.

View Paid Training & Bundles
Excel foundational video course
Excel Pivot Table video training course
Excel formulas and functions video training course
Excel Charts video training course
Video training for Excel Tables
Dynamic Array Formulas
Exceljet logo Exceljet
Quick, clean, and to the point

Resources

  • Training
  • Videos
  • Functions
  • Formulas
  • Shortcuts
  • Articles

About Us

  • About
  • Testimonials
  • Topics
  • Contact
  • Donate

Newsletter Sign-up

Work faster in Excel. Join more than 100,000 people who get weekly tips from us.
© 2012-2025 Exceljet. Terms of use
  • Visit our Twitter page