Excel number formats

Question

Excel number formats

Richard Tillman 365

In Excel, default Calibri 11, with a col width of 3.57, there's plenty of room to display the number 1.23 yet I have to format it as Number to do so. Why does it only show it as 1.2 under General format, unnecessarily cutting it short?

Viorel 127.3K Reputation points

2026-07-20T13:29:54.1466667+00:00

I think the Number format should be preferred anyway.

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Viorel 127.3K Reputation points

2026-07-20T13:29:54.1466667+00:00

I think the Number format should be preferred anyway.

Answer 1

John Jefferson Doyon 87,640 Independent Advisor

Hi, @Richard Tillman

The General format automatically shortens numbers to fit the available cell width. The column width is measured in character units and includes some internal spacing, so Excel may decide that 1.23 does not fully fit and display 1.2 instead. The stored value is still 1.23.

To always show two decimal places, use Number or the custom format 0.00, or widen the column slightly.

Does this also happen in a new blank workbook? What Excel version and Windows display scaling are you using?

Richard Tillman 365 Reputation points

2026-07-19T17:35:20.48+00:00

Yes, it happens in a new workbook, and display is 100%. Excel version (public library) is 2016.
John Jefferson Doyon 87,640 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-19T17:50:09.71+00:00

Thanks. Since it also happens in a new workbook at 100% scaling, this appears to be normal Excel 2016 behavior.

Under General, Excel decides how many decimal places can fit based on the column width and font measurements. A width of 3.57 is very narrow, so it rounds the display to 1.2, even though the stored value remains 1.23.

Try widening the column slightly or double-clicking the right edge of the column header to AutoFit it. You can also use Number or a custom format such as 0.00 when two decimal places must always be shown.

When you click the cell, does the formula bar still show 1.23?
Richard Tillman 365 Reputation points

2026-07-20T17:13:08.04+00:00

Yes, it does.
John Jefferson Doyon 87,640 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-20T17:26:38.6133333+00:00

Thanks. That confirms the value is not being changed. Excel is only shortening how it is displayed under the General format.

At that narrow column width, Excel 2016 chooses to show 1.2, even though the actual value remains 1.23 in the formula bar.

To display both decimal places, widen the column slightly or use Number or the custom format 0.00.

Are you mainly asking why Excel calculates the available space this way, or are you trying to keep the column at exactly 3.57?
Richard Tillman 365 Reputation points

2026-07-21T17:08:47.4433333+00:00

To keep it at 3.57 to save space.
John Jefferson Doyon 87,640 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-21T17:27:13.11+00:00

Understood. In that case, General format is not suitable because Excel 2016 controls the displayed precision automatically, and there is no setting to change that behavior while keeping the width at 3.57.

A practical workaround is to use the custom format:

0.##

This will display 1.23, but it will not add unnecessary zeros to values such as 1.2 or 1.

Select the cells, press Ctrl + 1, choose Custom, and enter 0.##.

Do your numbers contain no more than two decimal places?
Richard Tillman 365 Reputation points

2026-07-22T18:17:35.4733333+00:00

That is the solution. It displays the decimals as appropriate, without requiring individual cell formatting now or in the future.
John Jefferson Doyon 87,640 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-07-22T18:34:49.1866667+00:00

Glad to assist!