Aligning Positive and Negative Whole Numbers in a Column

Peggy described a situation where she has a series of whole numbers in a table column. The negative numbers have parentheses around them, such as (2,345). Peggy is looking for a way to align the positive and negative whole numbers in a way that allows for an "implied" right parenthesis to the right of positive numbers.

One solution, if you don't have many negative numbers, is to add a right parenthesis to the positive numbers and then simply format it as white text. It will take space in the document, but be invisible on the printout.

If you have many such numbers, however, then you should consider adding decimal tabs to the column. Follow these steps:

1. Select the column containing the numbers.
2. Make sure the column is left justified. (In Word 2007 display the Home tab of the ribbon and, in the Paragraph group, click the Align Text Left tool. In earlier versions of Word click the Align Left tool on the Formatting toolbar.)
3. Repeatedly click the tab indicator at the left side of the Ruler until you see the symbol for a decimal tab. (It is the only symbol that has a decimal point in it.)
4. Click on the Ruler in the area just above the selected column.
5. Click and drag the newly added tab stop to its final position.

That's it; the numbers should align properly in the column. Notice that a decimal tab is used, even though there are no decimal points in the column. (Whole numbers have no decimal points.) Word still aligns the numbers correctly, assuming the existence of a decimal point. It even recognizes parentheses around a number as a negative sign, and aligns the numbers accordingly.