Adding comma's to numbers with more than 3 digits

Go to the the cell tab (the one with the "42") of the Inspector and choose to show the thousands separator

I too have the comma thousands problem. I found the thousands separator check box, but nothing happens... Is there something I am missing.

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

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.

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!!!!

Hi Jerry,

Thanks... I didn't try another user yet, I did try reinstalling, dumping the plist and restarting the computer.

I don't use Numbers all that often so this is one of those squeaky noises kind of irritations. It will drive me crazy until its fixed!!!

Jim

Jerry,

My wife's user account works. I dumped the iWork 09 plist, didn't help. There doesn't seem to be a way to attach pictures for this service. So look here http://idisk.mac.com/jimoase/ in the public folder

Jim

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

Hello

Badunit proposal may be the good one.
Perhaps you changed the thousands separator in the *Language & Text* ( International) System Preferences Pane.

Yvan KOENIG (VALLAURIS, France) jeudi 19 novembre 2009 22:44:20

Hello

Badunit proposal may be the good one.
Perhaps you changed the thousands separator in the *Language & Text* ( International) System Preferences Pane.

Yvan KOENIG (VALLAURIS, France) jeudi 19 novembre 2009 22:44:20

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

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!!!!

Jim,

Have you tried it from another User Account? This would indicate if your plist got clobbered.

Jerry

Jim,

We might find a clue if you post a screen shot with the focus on a problem cell and the Cells Inspector in the shot. Not promising anything.

Jerry

Are you sure that it's the public folder ?

I'm asked to enter a password.

Yvan KOENIG (VALLAURIS, France) jeudi 19 novembre 2009 18:43:08