How to Change the Decimal Symbol in Word 2019 Without Changing Windows Settings
Question details
The user wants to change the decimal separator (such as using a comma for decimal tab alignment) specifically in Microsoft Word 2019 without modifying the global Windows regional settings.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Aligning text using decimal tabs in Word documents where a specific decimal symbol, such as a comma, is required.
- Observed behavior
- Unlike Excel, Word 2019 defaults strictly to the Windows system regional settings and lacks an independent, built-in option to customize the decimal separator.
Verify your current Windows regional settings and confirm whether your specific document requires a dot or a comma for decimal tab alignment. Keep in mind that Word relies heavily on system-wide settings for number formatting.
Use a Dedicated Windows User Account
Since Word does not offer an isolated decimal setting, creating a separate Windows profile allows you to use different regional settings for Word documents without affecting your primary account.
Microsoft Word is designed to pull its regional formatting directly from the Windows operating system. Because altering the global decimal separator changes how numbers behave in all applications, using a secondary Windows account is the safest workaround for frequent document formatting.
Navigate to your Windows Settings, select Accounts, and click on Family & other users. Follow the prompts to add a new user to your PC.
Sign out of your current Windows session and log into the newly created account.
Open the Control Panel, go to Clock and Region, and select Region. Click on 'Additional settings' at the bottom of the dialog box.
In the Numbers tab, change the 'Decimal symbol' field to your preferred character (such as a comma). Click Apply and OK. You can now use this account specifically for editing Word documents that require this decimal tab alignment.
Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft
Notify Microsoft about the missing functionality so it might be considered for future updates of Word.
Try WPS Office for Your Document Formatting Needs
If you are frustrated by the rigid settings of Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with a familiar user interface for all your document processing and alignment needs.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button to get the setup file.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the suite on your device.
- 3. Open and edit your documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents. Your tabs, formatting, and layouts will remain intact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Excel have a decimal separator setting but Word does not?
Excel is primarily a spreadsheet application designed for complex data and financial calculations, which frequently require custom number formatting independent of the operating system. Word, being a word processor, relies on the default system regional settings for basic text layout functions like decimal tabs.
Can I use a Word macro to change the decimal separator?
While macros can automate text replacement (such as swapping dots for commas within the document text), they cannot change the core application-level decimal separator for structural features like decimal tab alignment. Word strictly reads this setting from your Windows regional preferences.
Will changing my Windows regional settings affect other applications?
Yes, modifying the decimal symbol in the Windows Control Panel changes how numbers, dates, and currencies are displayed across all applications on your computer that rely on system settings, including web browsers and other Office programs.
Is there any add-in that adds a decimal separator option to Word?
Currently, there are no standard third-party add-ins that can override the system-level regional settings specifically for Word's decimal tabs, as this is a hardcoded dependency within the Word software architecture.
