Numeric (and textual) data can vary in form. One can change numeric data into a decimal, percentage, fraction, or currency form. There are others and one has much flexibility in the way numeric data is formatted.

Using the Format Toolbar is one method for changing the format of numeric data. However, there is another method that allows users to have more control in the way data appears.

To change the format of numeric data, go to Format in the toolbar and click on Cells.

A new dialog window will appear with several tabs. Make sure that the Number tab is showing (if it is not, click on it).

In the Category section (left side of the window), there will be several types of data formatting Types listed such as Number, Currency, Date, etc. Select the desired format by clicking on it and a new list of formatting options will appear to the right. See the example below for the Fraction category and the kind of control you can have in terms of formatting the data.

Experiment the ways in which you can change the structure and appearance of numeric (and textual) data in Excel spreadsheets by clicking on all of the categories and changing the type.