Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

User profile for user: The Drizzle
The Drizzle Author
User level: Level 1
92 points

Adding comma's to numbers with more than 3 digits

hello all, I have a column of numbers that all are greater than 999, and I wanted to have them all have the commas in the appropriate place, how can I edit this? for example, the column reads
36423
235632
and I want it to read
36,432
235,632

thanks!

Powerbook G4 1.67 GHz Superdrive, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 14, 2009 3:04 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Badunit
Badunit
User level: Level 7
29,164 points

Posted on Oct 14, 2009 4:00 PM

Go to the the cell tab (the one with the "42") of the Inspector and choose to show the thousands separator
View in context
17 replies
Sort By: 
User profile for user: KOENIG Yvan
KOENIG Yvan
User level: Level 8
41,819 points

Nov 18, 2009 11:50 PM in response to Jim Oase

Check that there is no character fooling the contents parser.

If the contents resemble to a number and if you set the format to number you will be able to ask for a thousand separator but, if there is a fooling character, the contents is interpreted as a string and the separator will not apply.

If my scholar English is not clear enough, maybe an other helper will be able to rewrite my response.

Yvan KOENIG (VALLAURIS, France) jeudi 19 novembre 2009 08:50:40
Reply
User profile for user: Badunit
Badunit
User level: Level 7
29,164 points

Nov 19, 2009 5:37 AM in response to Jim Oase

Jim, maybe we can narrow this down some. As Yvan was pointing out, sometimes what appears to be a number is actually a string. What gets confusing is you can select the "number" format for a cell with a string in it and while it looks like it has that format, but it actually doesn't.

Open a new blank spreadsheet. What happens if you enter "1200" into a cell, without the quotes? Does it end up right justified (i.e., aligned on the right side of the cell like a number would be) or is it on the left like a string would be? When you go to the cell inspector, do you have choices for decimal places and the comma separator or do you have to choose the "number" format first?

What if you type "=1200" into a cell? Same questions as above.
Reply
User profile for user: Jim Oase
Jim Oase
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 19, 2009 7:03 AM in response to Badunit

Thanks for your suggestions. 1200 is right justified when entered. I have tried several entry schemes getting the same no comma separator result. Just enter then select number and click the thousands check box. Highlight column, select number, click thousand separator. Select box, select number, click thousand separator.

Entry is always right justified upon entry. No commas ever appear. ARGH!!!!
Reply
User profile for user: Jerrold Green1
Jerrold Green1
User level: Level 7
30,253 points

Nov 19, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Jim Oase

Jim,

I'm no expert on what can go wrong inside a user account to cause troubles, but I understand that it could be one of very many things if the .plist isn't it. I can't view your graphic without a password. The Tips Discussion probably has help for posting from a MobileMe account if you still want to do that. I don't think it's necessary at this point though.

Jerry
Reply
User profile for user: Jim Oase
Jim Oase
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 19, 2009 4:25 PM in response to KOENIG Yvan

Hi All,

Thanks for the Systems Preference suggestions... I think we have discovered a problem. My user sign on in System Preferences/language&text/formats/customize has comma separator selected BUT the resistant comma is missing there too.

While my wife's sign-on works perfectly in Numbers and in System Preferences... go figure!!

Thanks for your suggestions and future suggestions

Jim
Reply
User profile for user: Jim Oase
Jim Oase
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 19, 2009 8:51 PM in response to KOENIG Yvan

I have not been able to find where the system keeps its number format information because the system preference path is not affecting this problem.

For the nuts of it I went back and reinstalled Snow Leopard via upgrade. Unfortunately that path does not allow for a clean install option and the comma separator problem was unaffected. ARGH!!!!

Help!!!!
Reply

Adding comma's to numbers with more than 3 digits

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up