Excel Dashboard Tip – Custom Number Format Explained

Custom Number Format in Excel – Transform Data into Professional Visuals

Tired of plain numbers cluttering your spreadsheet? Want to display data as percentages, currencies, phone numbers, or labeled metrics? With Custom Number Formatting in Microsoft Excel, you can control exactly how your data looks—without changing the underlying values.

This guide teaches how to create clean, readable, and professional Excel reports using custom number formats for dashboards, reports, and analytics.

What Is Custom Number Formatting in Excel?

Custom number formatting changes how numbers, dates, and text are displayed in cells without altering the data itself. Format codes act like visual masks that control presentation.

• 1234567 → $1,234,567.00 or 1.23M
• 9876543210 → (987) 654-3210

How to Apply a Custom Number Format

1. Select your range of cells.
2. Right-click and choose Format Cells → Number tab.
3. Select Custom from the list.
4. Type your format code in the Type field and click OK.

Popular Custom Format Examples

• Currency (no decimals): $#,##0
• Phone number: (###) ###-####
• Hide zero values: 0;-0;;@
• Display millions (M): #,#00,,"M"
• Add custom text: 0" units" → displays 150 units

Bonus: Custom Date and Time Formats

• Date: ddd, mmm dd yyyy → Mon, Jun 23 2025
• Time: hh:mm AM/PM

Pro Tips for Formatting Like a Pro

• Use semicolons (;) to define formats for positive, negative, zero, and text values.
• Apply colour codes: [Green]#,##0;[Red]-#,##0;[Black]0
• Add static text with quotes ("text").
• Use @ as a placeholder for text values.

Real-Life Applications

• Regional currency display (₹, €, $).
• Readable scientific or large-scale numbers.
• Dashboard visuals using icons, arrows, or suffixes.
• Standardised reporting and professional data layouts.

With Custom Number Formats in Excel, raw data becomes visual and meaningful. Perfect for financial analysts, educators, and business professionals aiming for clarity and impact.

Learn More with Other Levels

Take your Excel mastery further — visit Other Levels for advanced Excel Dashboard Templates, or watch our tutorials on the Other Levels YouTube Channel.