Works: Number in Parenthesis Changes to Negative Number (148172)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Works 2.0
- Microsoft Works 3.0
- Microsoft Works 4.5
- Microsoft Works 4.5a
- Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0
- Microsoft Works for Windows 95, version 4.0 4.0a
This article was previously published under Q148172 SYMPTOMS
A number in parentheses, (400) in a Works Spreadsheet or Database will be
converted to a negative number -400; this occurs because the parenthesis is
a format for negative numbers.
RESOLUTION
You cannot enter the value (400) and have it interpreted as a positive
number. To have the number appear in parentheses do either of the
following:
Format the cell in the spreadsheet, or field in the database, as Text and
then enter (400). This allows the number in parentheses to display, but it
will be treated as text, so formulas referencing the cell will not
recognize it as a number.
-or-
Change the Control Panel settings so negative numbers are displayed in
parentheses rather than with a hyphen, then format the cell to either
Currency or Comma. In this case, the number will still be interpreted
as a negative value, but it will display in parentheses.
Windows 95
To change the Control Panel settings do the following:
- Click Start, point to Settings, and then click
Control Panel.
- Double-click Regional Settings.
- On the Currency tab, change the Negative Number Format to (1.1).
NOTE: It is important to select the format that does NOT have a
space between the currency symbol and the number. - Click OK and close the Control Panel.
- You must format the numbers in your Spreadsheet or Database
as either Currency or Comma.
Windows 3.1x
To change Control Panel settings, do the following:
- In the Main group of Program Manager, double-click the
Control Panel.
- Double-click International.
- Click Change in the Currency section of the dialog
box.
- Change the Negative format to ($123.22) and click
OK.
- Click OK and then close the Control Panel.
- You must format the numbers in your spreadsheet or database
as either Currency or Comma.
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 11/15/2004 |
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Keywords: | KB148172 |
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