How do I change the number formatting within a Cell Table in Microsoft Word?

Hi, I was wondering if someone could help me out on an issue I've been having... I work for an accounting firm and we do a lot of financial statements. 

I was wondering if we would be able to treat a cell table in Microsoft Word 2007 like I would a cell table in Microsoft Excel. Meaning, I would like to change the formatting of the numbers in the table to the "Accounting" (number) format so it aligns by the decimal point and use the $ signs and () for negative numbers.  We do use the link tables feature, however, most of our balancing pages just can't be done in Excel because of the way the text is written. It would be much harder to format the text if it were to be typed in Excel. We have also tried  creating an Excel sheet within Microsoft Word but it is the same as linking the tables... Again, a text formatting issue.  The only option is to use tables within Word but how do we change the number formatting to a "accounting" (number) format where the numbers would align with the decimal point and use () for the negative numbers. Is there ANY option for us to do this other than manually entering this information in using tabs?  

If there are no options other than entering it in manually, please consider this as an option for your next software update. I believe that a LOT of people out there will be interested in this feature... My manager and I just attended a webinar on Microsoft Advanced Word Tips Tricks and Techniques and 75% of the attending people had this question but no answer.

Thank you very much for your help!!!!!

May 21st, 2013 1:32pm

Word does not really have number formatting for table cells. You can align cell contents on the decimal point, though, by setting a so-called decimal tab stop.

Option 1:
- Select the cells for which you want to do this.
- Display the ruler.
- Click the Tab box on the left hand side of the ruler until the box contains an inverted T with a dot.
- Click in the ruler where you want the decimal tab.

Option 2:
- Select the cells for which you want to do this.
- Click the arrow in the lower right corner of the Paragraph group on the Home tab of the ribbon.
- Click the Tabs... button in the lower left corner of the dialog.
- Specify a tab position in the box, e.g. 1.5".
- Select the 'Decimal' radio button under 'Alignment'.
- Click Set.
- Click OK.

You will have to type the numbers as they should appear, including the $ for currency and the ( ) for negative numbers.

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May 21st, 2013 2:38pm

Hello Hans V.,

thank you very much for your reply. I will give it go. Thank you!!!

I hope one day they will add this feature. It will be very helpful to us.

May 21st, 2013 2:42pm

Another reason I like WordPerfect - table are so much easier to create, format and add functions. Word is years behind in this.
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April 7th, 2015 12:25pm

As stated previously in this thread, certain aspects of Word tables are limited. What you can do, in Word, is embed an Excel spreadsheet and get access to the full options of Excel.

April 12th, 2015 10:16am

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