How to Fix Excel Currency Format Adding Extra Periods
Question details
The user needs to fix an issue where applying the Currency format in Excel results in numbers displaying with two periods instead of a standard comma and period.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Formatting numbers as currency in a spreadsheet.
- Observed behavior
- The number displays with an unusual custom format containing two period symbols (e.g., £#.##0.00 instead of £#,##0.00). Returning the cell to General format displays the raw value correctly.
Save your current Excel workbook and close the application before modifying your Windows regional settings to ensure the changes take effect upon restarting.
Adjust Windows Regional and Digit Grouping Settings
Correcting the system-level digit grouping settings resolves the root cause of the extra periods in Excel's currency format.
Excel relies on your Windows operating system's regional settings to determine how numbers and currencies should be formatted. If the digit grouping symbol is incorrectly set to a period, Excel will display two periods in currency values.
Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run command window.
Type intl.cpl into the Run box and press Enter to open the Region settings window.
Under the Formats tab, ensure that the correct country or region is selected in the Format dropdown menu.
Click the Additional settings button located at the bottom of the Region window.
Navigate to the Currency tab. Verify that the Digit grouping symbol is set to a comma (,) and the Decimal symbol is set to a period (.). The positive currency format should look like £#,##0.00 and not £#.##0.00.
Click Apply, then OK. Restart Microsoft Excel to see the corrected currency format applied to your cells.
Apply Accounting or Custom Number Format in Excel
If you prefer not to change system settings, you can manually adjust the cell format directly within Excel.
Try WPS Office for Hassle-Free Spreadsheet Formatting
If you frequently encounter formatting glitches or regional setting conflicts in Microsoft Excel, consider switching to WPS Office. WPS Spreadsheet offers a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative that seamlessly handles complex data and currency formatting without unexpected errors.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and complete the quick installation.
- 2. Open your Excel File: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your existing .xlsx workbook directly without losing any data.
- 3. Format with Ease: Select your data, right-click to choose Format Cells, and apply the Currency format effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel change my commas to periods in numbers?
This usually happens because your Windows regional settings are configured to a region (like some European countries) that uses periods for digit grouping and commas for decimals. Changing the 'Digit grouping symbol' in Windows Region settings will fix this.
Can I fix the currency format for just one specific Excel file?
Yes. Instead of changing Windows system settings, you can select the specific cells in your Excel file, press Ctrl+1 to open Format Cells, choose 'Custom', and manually type the desired format (e.g., $#,##0.00).
What is the difference between Currency and Accounting formats in Excel?
The Currency format places the currency symbol directly next to the number, while the Accounting format aligns the currency symbols and decimal points in a column, making it easier to read financial data. The Accounting format also displays zeros as dashes.
