A quick reference for the two common number formats in Excel for financial data.

Currency Format

  • Shows numbers with a currency symbol (e.g. £, €, $) and 2 decimal places
  • Symbol appears right next to the number
  • Negative numbers can show in brackets or with a minus

Example: £1,234.56

Accounting Format

  • Aligns currency symbols and decimal points in a column
  • Currency symbol sits at the left edge of the cell
  • Zero values show as a dash

Example: £ 1,234.56 (symbol left-aligned)

When to Use Which

  • Use Currency for inline financial values
  • Use Accounting for tidy columns in financial statements