Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Formatting Currency.
Those who are familiar with the rich formatting features of Excel may long for a way to format numbers in a Word table just as easily. For instance, you may have a column of numbers that you want to format as currency, complete with the dollar sign. Unfortunately, Word does not allow you to do this type of formatting directly.
There is a work-around, however. You can use a field to insert any number you want in any format you want. For instance, let's say you have the number 65.78, and you want it formatted as currency in a particular table cell. All you need to do is follow these steps:
You can continue to insert numbers in this way. If you have quite a few of them, you may want to create a macro to automate the process. Entering numbers in this way will not affect your ability to create column totals, as well.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1773) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Formatting Currency.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!
You can easily add borders to your table cells. This tip shows you how.
Discover MoreWhen working with tables (particularly those created by others), you can spend a large amount of time getting the ...
Discover MoreDo you need a quick way to format your tables? Believe it or not, there are several tools you can use from Word's arsenal ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2018-07-06 12:53:03
Clifton Schnarr
Hi Allen. Thanks for this tip, but it did not work for me at all in Word 2010. Perhaps you could add text showing how the completed field formula looks using your example above. When I was finished and collapsed the field I just get a blank cell. Thank you.
2017-01-12 03:16:46
Kostas
Very useful, thx
2015-02-03 21:34:45
ZAQ
Hi,
I have a MergeField AmountPaid that prints out fine on word document.
If I try to convert it to DollarText using Ctrl +F9 { MERGEFIELD AmountPaid * DollarText }.. This does not work
I have even tried setting another variable via: Ctrl + F9 { SET Amount { MERGEFIELD AmountPaid}}
CTRL + F9 { REF Amount * DollarText} this way I am getting an error MergeField AmountPaid not found.
I have spent hours trying to figure this out but it doesnt work! Please help me.
Thanks
2014-11-12 12:28:57
Gabriel Rivera
Thanks a lot, it was really helpfull
2014-11-04 08:16:02
TeeJay
Absolutely Use Tips Thanks
2014-07-13 14:12:49
Meysam
Simple way:
go to Layout->Formula
enter "=value to be here" as a formula for example (=10000)
in Number format field enter your pattern(#,##0)
press OK,
enjoy it!
2014-06-25 13:46:51
John
AWESOME, thank you! I used it to format savings analysis in a mail merge doc, worked great!
2014-01-23 13:01:32
Jim
Better still - use WordPerfect - infinitely easier.
2013-03-07 18:38:20
flok
I'm working in Word 2010 and mine disappeared when I hit shift F9 also.
2013-01-26 12:15:34
inygo
I also got a blank cell after hitting Shift+F9. It wasn't until later that the number appeared, formatted correctly. I Finally realized that you have to recalculate the field in order to see the number, and not a blank cell. So, if I may be so bold as to make a suggestion (which might help novices like me), I would add at then end of this tip that you should press Ctrl+A, F9.
2012-11-20 03:51:59
Mark Sinden
Works up to the point where I hit Shift+F9, then both the field and the text vanish leaving an apparently blank cell. Any ideas?
2012-10-24 14:44:53
awyatt
Robert,
That is why, at the end of tip, it says it won't work in 2007. For that, you need to follow the link supplied that says "find a version of this tip for ... Word 2007 and later."
-Allen
2012-10-24 14:05:56
Robert Hirsch
Doesn't work in Word 2007
2012-02-17 20:14:13
jeff
This is a great example but could you maybe provide a way to format the contents of a PlainText ContentControl? I would like to format the user input in a form in a currency format like this. This method does not seem to work for Content Controls
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2020 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
Comments