How to Create a Custom Number Format

Excel has many built-in number formats (see Currency vs Accounting), but you can also create your own. Custom formats change only how a number looks, never its value.

All three examples start the same way: select the cell, press Ctrl + 1 (or right-click > Format Cells), click Custom, and type a code in the Type box.

Example 1: add leading zeros

To show every number with 6 digits, so that 376 becomes 000376:

1. Type 376 in cell B3.

2. Select B3, right-click and click Format Cells.

3. Click Custom and type 000000 in the Type box.

   

4. Click OK.

Example 2: add text after a number

To show 376.0 Dollars while keeping the cell a number:

1. Type 376 in cell B3.

2. Select B3, right-click and click Format Cells.

3. Click Custom and type 0.0 "Dollars"

   

Example 3: show numbers in thousands

To show 1376 as 1.4 Thousand:

1. Type 1376 in cell B3.

2. Select B3, right-click and click Format Cells.

3. Click Custom and type 0.0, "Thousand"

   

Each comma at the end of the number part divides by 1,000 for display. For millions, use two: 0.0,, "Million"

Tip: Look through the codes already in the Custom list. Picking one and changing it slightly is often the quickest way to build the format you want.