Brackets around negative numbers (formatting)

[Harry_S_S]

I am trying to get to grips with the basics of excel at the moment and just trying to sort out some optimal settings. In finance I think its standard for negative numbers to be in brackets i.e. -900 = (900). However where the tutorials state I can change this it gives me two identical options, one in red and one in black. Is it a bug that the brackets aren't appearing around two of the options in the menu. I have recently download Microsoft and have not made any edits to the settings.

Don't know if its relevant but this is running on a mac via bootcamp.

[#2]

@Harry_S_S 

Try Currency or Accounting.

[#3]

@Detlef_Lewin  I have just tried both and both show a minus sign but no brackets

[#4 · Accepted solution]

@Harry_S_S 

You may change Windows regional settings as here Negative numbers aren't showing with parentheses in Excel - Microsoft Support 

Alternatively apply first negative numbers with Red format. Select cells again, Ctrl+1->Number->Custom

and here change text after semicolon on

You may remove [Red] if prefer default color.

[#5]

Fantastic thank you very much the root of the issue was sorted by your first link, don't know that even effected excel. I will keep the custom stuff in mind as well though ! thanks again

[#6]

@Harry_S_S , you are welcome

[#7]

@Harry_S_S 

Just open Control Panel and click on "Change date, time or number formats" (highlighted in image attached) > Additional Settings > under Numbers tab in front of Negative numbers format choose bracket number using drop down menu.

Similarly do this under currency tab in front of negative currency format.

I've attached images to better understand and resolve the issue PERMANENTLY.

[#8]

@suhitm 

Thanks for the illustration of already mentioned link https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/negative-numbers-aren-t-showing-with-parentheses-in-excel...

[#9]

@SergeiBaklan 

In custom the bracket formula is not available and I have gone to clock setting and changed to ( ).  changing negative numbers to brackets is not available under any of the categories  in the home>number tab

[#10]

@Deb_Stojkovic 

Sorry, I didn't catch. We have pre-defined number formats which depend on regional settings. And we have custom number format which we construct ourselves.

Yes, red and brackets are not predefined, but it's not necessary to add such format in regional settings as default one. We may use custom number format like

[#11]

@SergeiBaklan,

I do not have any options to select any type that shows (#,0.00 ) or anything with brackets even in the custom settings.  My clock is set to show negative as brackets.  Where else would I find that formula to add to my excel or what else can I try?

[#12]

@Deb_Stojkovic 

On which Excel platform you are ? (Windows, Android, etc)

In general, when you select Custom on the left you may type on the right bar any text, or select from the bottom of it one was typed before.

[#13]

@SergeiBaklan 

I am using windows.  I figured it out - thanks for all your help

[#14]

Thank you. Works. Problem solved.

[#15]

@Obieey , you are welcome