Using the Automatic Format in Table Cells
When you add a new cell, its content is displayed using the automatic format.
This content in a cell assigned the
automatic format
Is formatted like this for display
A number
Decimal places and commas are preserved
as entered.
For example, 1,000,000.008 displays as
1,000,000.008.
A currency value
The displayed value shows 0 decimal places if it’s
an integer ($50); otherwise it shows 2 decimal
places. If there are more than 2 decimal places,
rounding is applied.
For example, $1,000.0075 displays as $1,000.01.
A date value
The value is formatted using the date format
specified in System Preferences (search for “date
format” in System Preferences) and is treated as a
date value in formulas. To view the date formats
in Numbers, open the Cells inspector and choose
“Date and Time” from the Cell Format pop-up
menu. Then select the Date pop-up menu.
A 2-digit year value greater than 50 is displayed
using the prefix 19; otherwise the prefix 20 is
used.
For example, 1/1 displays as Jan 1, 2008, and Jan
05 displays as Jan 5, 2008.
A Boolean value
The values “true” and “false” are converted to
“TRUE” and “FALSE.” These cells can be used in
Boolean operations in formulas.
A percentage value
A number followed by the % sign is displayed as
entered, and in formulas the value is treated as
a percentage value. A space before the % sign is
not required.
For example, you can type 5% or 5 %.
A scientific value
The display format rounds the value to 2
decimal places.
For example, 1.777E3 is displayed as 1.78+E3.
This content in a cell assigned the
automatic format
Is formatted like this for display
A duration value
A number accompanied by a duration suffix
(w or weeks, d or days, h or hours, m or minutes,
s or seconds, ms or milliseconds) is treated as a
duration value in formulas. The suffix is displayed
in its abbreviated form.
For example, 2 weeks is displayed as 2w.
A fraction value
The value is formatted like a date if it matches
one of the formats available for date values.
Otherwise, the “Up to three digits” accuracy is
used for display.
For example, 1/1 displays as Jan 1, 2008.
If a different format has been applied to a cell, you can change its format to automatic
by selecting the cell and choosing Automatic from the Cell Formats pop-up menu in
the format bar.
You can also use the Cells inspector.
To apply the automatic format using the Cells inspector:
1
Select the cell or cells.
2
Click Inspector in the toolbar, and then click the Cells inspector button.
3
Choose Automatic from the Cell Format pop-up menu.