Last week I had the opportunity to put a little bit of time into building a few videos on my YouTube Channel that focus on how to effectively use Excel custom number formatting. Let’s be honest, when I put it that way, it sounds a little bit lame and boring. I can assure you however that there are a few tricks in here that will likely get you excited about going to work tomorrow to show it off to your boss. Let’s dive right into the videos that are going to make your workweek a little more bearable by making you look like an Excel guru.
Video # 1: How to Display Numbers in Thousands in Excel
Let’s be honest, this doesn’t seem like much of a trick but you wouldn’t believe how many people struggle with getting the numbers to look right for their executives. Do you really think that your boss or the executives for that matter want to see the numbers as they are – $4,567,320.92? Depending on the magnitude and size of your business, most would much rather see this number displayed as $4,567 k. It’s funny though because even at one point in my career I was guilty of doing the divide by 1000 trick on all of my cells. This is not the right way to do things. Checkout the video below, and in one minute you’ll be able to do this all on your own.
Extra Tip: Add an additional comma into the mix to display your numbers in millions (you’ll find out where this comma goes once you watch the video).
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Video # 2: How to Use Increase Decrease Arrows Using Excel Custom Number Formatting
This one truly excites those who are working steadily in Excel. It’s just an awesome way to quickly display either positive or negative changes in any set of values that you may be working with using up and down arrows. Really the title explains itself in this one. Take a look below and you’ll see how you can start applying this in your work right now.
Video # 3: Change Text Color and Number Display Based on Cell Values Using Conditional Number Formatting
Again, I had a hard time making the title as exciting as what you’re actually going to learn. I know, I am truly a geek but I love this stuff.
I’m sure there has been a point and time where you wanted your numbers to display differently based on the output value. For example, if sales are over $10 million you want to have the number display in green but if is is below this, you want the number to displayed in red. Yes you can do this using conditional number formatting, but this trick allows you to take it to another level by allowing you to change how the number is displayed (e.g. numbers over 1 million are displayed in thousands and numbers under 1 million are displayed in standard currency). I’m sure by now you are tired of reading so just take a look for yourself (note: if you need to take a closer look at the number formatting, pause the screen). For some reason the video was a little faster than the audio on this one.
Bonus Video: A How To on Building Excel Interactive Number Formatting Options In Your Dashboard
Summary
I’m sure by now you’re more than tired enough of hearing my voice so I’m not going to punish you with any more videos (for now). I truly hope you enjoyed these and if you want to bust through the three videos via the playlist in YouTube, feel free to do so from the bradedgardotcom YouTube Channel.
What’s your favorite trick when it comes to Excel custom number formatting? Be sure to leave a comment in the section below!