Office for Mac Issues

Fix Excel for Mac Cannot Change Number or Currency Formatting

Khadija Khan Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are unable to apply Number, Currency, or Accounting formats to cells in Excel for Mac, and the Format Cells context menu may fail to open.

How to Fix Excel for Mac Cannot Change Number or Currency Formatting

Product: Microsoft Excel
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Applying number or currency formatting to spreadsheet cells.
Observed behavior: Numbers remain in General format despite selecting a specific format, and the Format Cells dialog fails to launch from the right-click menu.

Before you start

Ensure your macOS is fully up to date and check if the formatting issue occurs in a brand new workbook or is isolated to a specific file.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Keyboard Shortcuts and Isolate the File

Bypass the context menu glitch using a keyboard shortcut and determine if the workbook itself is corrupted.

Often, the right-click context menu in Excel for Mac can glitch, preventing the Format Cells dialog from opening. Using the built-in keyboard shortcut forces the menu to open. Testing this in a new workbook helps identify if your current file has corrupted formatting rules.

Select the Affected Cells

Highlight the cells or columns where the number or currency formatting refuses to apply.

Use the Shortcut Command

Press Command + 1 on your Mac keyboard to force the Format Cells dialog to open directly.

Apply Number Formatting

Navigate to the Number tab, select Currency or Accounting, and click OK to see if the format updates.

Test a New Workbook

Press Command + N to open a new blank workbook. Enter a number and press Command + 1 to format it. If it works here, your previous file may be corrupted.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts and Isolate the File

File-Specific Issues: If the issue only happens in one specific workbook, try copying your data (without formatting) and pasting it into a completely new Excel file.

Solution 2

Update Microsoft Office for Mac

Install the latest patches to fix known formatting bugs in the Excel application.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Flawless Spreadsheet Formatting with WPS Office

If Microsoft Excel for Mac continues to freeze or fails to change number formats, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a lightweight, highly compatible Office alternative that flawlessly handles complex accounting, currency, and custom number formats without the persistent glitches.

1. Download and Install WPS Office: Get the free WPS Office suite for Mac from the official website and install it.
2. Open Your Excel File: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and seamlessly open your existing .xlsx workbook.
3. Format Cells with Ease: Select your data, right-click, choose Format Cells, and effortlessly apply your desired Currency or Number formats.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel formats (.xlsx, .xls, .csv).Reliable and intuitive Format Cells dialog with zero freezing issues.Lightweight design that runs incredibly smooth on all macOS versions.Completely free to use with a familiar interface for a seamless transition.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Excel for Mac stuck on General format?

This can happen due to a temporary UI glitch in the Excel app, a corrupted specific workbook, or an outdated version of Office for Mac that contains known bugs preventing formatting changes.

How do I force cell formatting to update in Excel?

You can force the formatting to update by selecting the cells, pressing Command + 1 to open the Format Cells dialog, selecting your desired format, and double-clicking inside the cell (or pressing Control + U then Enter) to refresh the data.

Does clearing cell formats fix the currency format issue?

Yes, corrupted existing formatting can prevent new formats from applying. Go to the Home tab, click on the Clear dropdown (the eraser icon), and select Clear Formats before attempting to apply the Currency format again.

What should I do if the Format Cells dialog doesn't open at all?

If right-clicking and selecting Format Cells does nothing, bypass the menu by pressing Command + 1. If it still fails, restart Excel and ensure you have installed the latest Microsoft Office updates via Help > Check for Updates.

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