What is 'Custom Format' ?: Microsoft Office Excel provides many built-in number formats, but in some cases they do not meet our needs, we can customize a built-in number format to create our own.
Why 'Custom Format' and not 'Conditional Formatting'?: because to cure 'Common Cold' we go to doctors not surgeons. Exactly, when there is a simple and robust way then why to go otherwise. There are many benefits of using custom format including these:
1. Less overhead than Conditional Formatting.
2. Values can be used easily in formulas (Less manipulation required).
3. Charts looks better with custom colored labels/axis.
4. Works on all versions of Excel.
and many more which you can figure out using your innovative mind after reading this article.
Examples:
Let's move with some examples of various data. Essentially, examples makes this subject simple.
I - BASIC EXAMPLES
| COMMENTS | TO DISPLAY | AS | USE THIS |
| Leading Zeros | 26 | 0026 | 0000 |
| Phone Number | 9999404843 | 999-940-4843 | 000-000-0000 |
| Day of the Date | 26/05/1984 | Saturday | dddd |
| Month of the Date | 26/05/1984 | May | mmmm |
| Comma Place holder | 23456789 | 23,456,789 | #, ### |
| Currency | 2605.5 | € 2,605.50 | € #,###.00 |
Click here to read full article on 'Custom' Format including intermediate and advanced examples with theory and logic.
