Numbers with 1000 Separator Format Appear Incorrectly

ID: Q125032

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you enter a value on your worksheet, and you format the value with a format code that contains a comma (for a 1000 separator), the number appears truncated instead of displaying with a comma as expected. The Format Number dialog box may also truncate any formats at the point where the comma would appear.


CAUSE

This behavior occurs when there is an incorrect 1000 Separator setting in the Microsoft Windows International dialog box. It has been reported that after installing the Microsoft Access Service Pack, an unprintable character, that may appear to be a comma, is set for the sThousand entry in the [Intl] section in the WIN.INI file.



WORKAROUNDS

To correct this problem, do one of the following:

Method 1: Use a text editor to modify the WIN.INI file:

  1. Close Microsoft Excel if it is running.


  2. Open your WIN.INI file in a text editor such as Notepad.


  3. Locate the [Intl] section, and locate the sThousand entry.


  4. Modify the entry to appear as follows:

    sThousand=,

    NOTE: Even if the character following the sThousand entry appears to be a comma character, delete this character, and retype the comma. (This ensures that the correct value is written to the WIN.INI file.)


  5. Restart Windows for this change to take effect.


Method 2: If the [Intl] section in your WIN.INI file contains only two lines, or does not contain an sThousand entry, do the following:

  1. Close Microsoft Excel again if it is running.


  2. Start Control Panel.


  3. Double-click the International icon.


  4. Under Number Format, choose the Change button.


  5. In the 1000 Separator box, type a comma (,). Choose OK.


  6. Choose OK to close the International dialog box, and then close the Control Panel.


Additional query words: 4.00a 5.00c strange wrong 


Keywords          : xlwin 
Version           : 4.00 4.00a 5.00 5.00c
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: May 2, 1999