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How to Change Excel Decimal Separator from Comma to Period on iPad
Question details
The user wants to change the decimal separator from a comma to a period in Microsoft Excel or the unified Microsoft 365 app on an iPad.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel / Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Viewing or editing an Excel workbook on an iPad where decimal numbers are displaying with commas instead of periods.
- Observed behavior
- Numbers display with a comma as the decimal separator on the iPad app, even though the same workbook uses periods correctly on a Mac or in OneDrive.
Ensure you have saved and synced your current workbooks to OneDrive or your device, as altering system-level regional settings will require the Microsoft 365 app to restart.
Change iPad Regional Settings
Modify your iPad's system region to a country that uses a period for decimal values, as the Microsoft 365 app inherits these global settings.
The unified Microsoft 365 app for iPad relies heavily on your device's native system settings. If your iPad is set to a region where commas are the standard decimal separator, the app will display your spreadsheets accordingly.
Go to your iPad's home screen and tap on the 'Settings' app.
Tap on 'General' in the left-hand menu, then select 'Language & Region' on the right side.
Tap 'Region' and select a country that uses a period as a decimal separator, such as the 'United States' or 'United Kingdom'.
Force close the Microsoft 365 app by swiping it away in the app switcher, then reopen it to apply the new regional formatting to your workbooks.
Modify Number Format in the Standalone Excel App
Use the dedicated Microsoft Excel app for iPad, which sometimes offers more specific number formatting options than the all-in-one Microsoft 365 app.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Formatting
If you frequently encounter regional formatting limitations or missing features in the Microsoft 365 mobile app, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, comprehensive, and free alternative with excellent compatibility for your Excel files across all devices.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Search for WPS Office in the iPad App Store and download the application for free.
- 2. Open Your Workbook: Launch WPS Office and open your existing .xlsx files directly from local storage or your preferred cloud service.
- 3. Edit with Ease: Enjoy viewing and editing your data with highly compatible formatting tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel on my iPad show commas instead of periods for decimals?
The Microsoft 365 app on iPad inherits your device's global regional settings. If your iPad is set to a region (like many European or South American countries) where commas are standard for decimal separation, Excel will display them accordingly.
Can I change the decimal separator in the Microsoft 365 app without changing my iPad's region?
Unfortunately, the unified Microsoft 365 mobile app offers limited internal regional formatting controls. You usually need to change the iPad's system region or switch to the standalone Excel app to adjust specific number formats.
Will changing my iPad region affect other apps?
Yes. Changing your iPad's language and region settings will globally alter how dates, times, currency, and numbers are formatted across all system and third-party apps on your device.
Why does the file look fine on my Mac but wrong on my iPad?
Your Mac and iPad have separate system-level regional settings. If your Mac is set to a US region (using periods) and your iPad is set to a European region (using commas), the same file will display differently depending on the device you are using to view it.
