XL: Decimal Separator Is a Different Character Than Expected

When you type a decimal number, the decimal separator may appear as a character other than a period (.), such as a comma (,).

This behavior may occur if one or more of the following conditions are true:

• The regional settings in Microsoft Windows are set to use a decimal separator other than a period character.
  
  -or-
• The decimal separator in your copy of Excel has been set to use a different character than a period.

To change the way Excel displays the decimal separator, use one of the following methods.

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

Method 1: Change the Way Windows Displays Dates, Times, Currency, and Numbers

NOTE: The steps in this method change the way Windows displays dates, time, currency, and numbers. If you prefer to retain your existing regional settings and only change the way Windows or Excel displays decimals, use one of the other methods.

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Regional and Language Options.
3. Click the Regional Options tab.
4. Under Select an item to match its preferences, or click Customize to choose your own formats click the locale that you want to control the way dates, times, currency, and numbers appear.
5. Click OK.

Method 2: Change the Way Windows Displays Decimals

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Regional and Language Options.
3. Click the Regional Options tab, and then click Customize.
4. In the Decimal symbol box, type a period (.).
   
   NOTE: Make sure that character that appears in the Digit Grouping symbol box is a different character than the period.
5. Click OK, and then click OK.

Method 3: Change the Way Excel Displays Numbers

1. Start Excel, and then click Options on the Tools menu.
2. Click the International tab, and then click to clear the Use the system separators check box.
3. In the Decimal separator box, type a period (.).
4. In the Thousands separator box, type a comma (,).
5. Click OK.