Number formats (currency, percentage, date) in Google Sheets - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the currency number format do in Google Sheets?

It displays numbers with a currency symbol (like $, €, £) and two decimal places, making it easy to show money values clearly.

beginner

How do you format a number as a percentage in Google Sheets?

You apply the percentage format, which multiplies the number by 100 and adds a % sign. For example, 0.25 becomes 25%.

beginner

What happens if you enter 12/31/2023 in a cell and apply a date format?

Google Sheets recognizes it as a date and displays it according to the chosen date format, like 12/31/2023 or Dec 31, 2023.

beginner

True or False: Changing a cell's number format changes the actual value stored in the cell.

False. Number formats only change how the value looks, not the actual number stored in the cell.

beginner

How can you quickly apply currency format to a cell in Google Sheets?

Select the cell, then click the '$' icon in the toolbar or go to Format > Number > Currency.

What symbol does Google Sheets add when you format a number as currency?

A A date format

B A percent sign (%)

C A currency symbol like $ or €

D No symbol is added

Currency format adds a currency symbol such as $ or € to show money values.

If you type 0.5 and format the cell as a percentage, what will you see?

A 0.5

B 50%

C 5%

D 500%

Percentage format multiplies the number by 100 and adds a % sign, so 0.5 becomes 50%.

Which menu path lets you change a cell to a date format in Google Sheets?

A Format > Number > Date

B Data > Date Format

C Insert > Date

D Tools > Date Settings

You change number formats including date by going to Format > Number > Date.

What does changing a number format affect?

A The actual value stored in the cell

B The cell color

C The formula in the cell

D Only how the value looks

Number formats only change the appearance, not the stored value or formula.

Which of these is NOT a number format option in Google Sheets?

A Text color

B Percentage

C Date

D Currency

Text color is a formatting style, not a number format.

Explain how to format a number as currency, percentage, and date in Google Sheets.

Think about the Format menu and what each format does to the number's appearance.

Describe the difference between changing a cell's number format and changing its actual value.

Consider what you see versus what is really inside the cell.

Practice

1. What does applying the Percentage number format to a cell do in Google Sheets?

easy

A. It changes the number into a date format.

B. It converts the number into currency with a $ sign.

C. It shows the number as a part of 100 with a % sign.

D. It rounds the number to the nearest whole number.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Percentage Format

   The percentage format multiplies the number by 100 and adds a % sign to show parts of 100.

2. Step 2: Compare with Other Formats

   Currency adds a $ sign, date changes to calendar format, rounding changes number value, so these are incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   It shows the number as a part of 100 with a % sign. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Percentage format = parts of 100 [OK]

Hint: Percentage format shows numbers as % of 100 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking percentage changes the number value
• Confusing percentage with currency format
• Assuming percentage rounds numbers

2. Which of the following is the correct way to format a cell as currency in Google Sheets?

easy

A. Select the cell, then click Format > Number > Currency.

B. Type a $ sign before the number in the cell.

C. Use the formula =CURRENCY(A1).

D. Change the cell font color to green.

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify Currency Formatting Method

   In Google Sheets, currency format is applied via the menu: Format > Number > Currency.

2. Step 2: Evaluate Other Options

   Typing $ manually does not format the cell; no =CURRENCY formula exists; font color change does not affect number format.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the cell, then click Format > Number > Currency. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Currency format applied via Format menu [OK]

Hint: Use Format > Number > Currency to format money [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Typing $ manually instead of formatting
• Trying to use a non-existent formula
• Changing font color instead of number format

3. If cell A1 contains the number 0.25 and you apply the Percentage format, what will the cell display?

medium

A. 25%

B. 1/4/1900

C. $0.25

D. 0.25

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Percentage Formatting

   Applying percentage format multiplies the number by 100 and adds a % sign. So 0.25 becomes 25%.

2. Step 2: Check Other Formats

   0.25 is the raw number, $0.25 is currency, and 1/4/1900 is a date format interpretation, so these are incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   25% -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   0.25 as percentage = 25% [OK]

Hint: Percentage format multiplies by 100 and adds % [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Expecting the number to stay the same
• Confusing currency and percentage formats
• Thinking date format applies automatically

4. You entered the date 12/31/2023 in a cell, but it shows as 44926. What should you do to fix this?

medium

A. Increase the font size to make the date visible.

B. Re-enter the date with dashes instead of slashes.

C. Use the formula =DATE(2023,12,31) instead.

D. Change the cell format to Date via Format > Number > Date.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Date Storage

   Google Sheets stores dates as numbers (days since 12/30/1899). 44926 is the number for 12/31/2023.

2. Step 2: Apply Date Format

   To see the date instead of the number, change the cell format to Date via Format > Number > Date.

3. Final Answer:

   Change the cell format to Date via Format > Number > Date. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Date format shows calendar date, not serial number [OK]

Hint: Change format to Date to see calendar dates, not numbers [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Re-entering date instead of formatting
• Using formulas unnecessarily
• Changing font size instead of format

5. You have a list of prices in column A as numbers (e.g., 12.5, 7.99). You want to show them as US dollars with two decimals and a $ sign. Which steps will achieve this correctly?

hard

A. Use the formula =TEXT(A1, "$0.00") in a new column.

B. Select column A, then Format > Number > Currency, and set decimal places to 2.

C. Type $ before each number manually and round to 2 decimals.

D. Change the cell format to Percentage and multiply by 100.

Solution

1. Step 1: Apply Currency Format

   Select the cells and use Format > Number > Currency to add $ sign and currency style.

2. Step 2: Set Decimal Places

   Adjust decimal places to 2 to show cents properly.

3. Final Answer:

   Select column A, then Format > Number > Currency, and set decimal places to 2. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Currency format + 2 decimals = correct money display [OK]

Hint: Use Format > Number > Currency and set decimals to 2 [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Typing $ manually instead of formatting
• Using percentage format by mistake
• Using TEXT formula unnecessarily