How to Format Numbers and Text in Google Sheets

March 19, 2025

How to Format Numbers and Text in Google Sheets

For businesses and freelancers, Google Sheets is a go-to software for managing figures and carrying out data analysis because of its efficiency. To improve the order and appearance of your spreadsheets, you can also modify the numbers and text fonts. Proper formatting not only makes the data more readable but also enhances its presentation. In this piece, we will explain how to use the text and number formatting tools in Google Sheets.
1. How to Format Numbers in Google Sheets

To make all of your spreadsheet numbers uniform, Google Sheets includes many formatting options, some of which will be reviewed on the following pages. Here are the examples on how to format the numbers:

i. Apply Decimal Format

If you wish to present values in a decimal form, follow these steps:

Step 1. Highlight the cell or group of cells which you would like to format.

Step 2. Click on “Format”, then go to “Number” and select “Number” to apply decimal formatting.

Step 3. Use the increase or decrease decimal functions to specify the decimal places preferred.

ii. Apply Percentage Format

To format percentages, follow this process:

Step 1. Highlight the cell or group of cells to change to percentage format.

Step 2. Click on “Format”, then “Number” and select “Percent”.

iii. Set Currency Format

For financial data, numbers can be formatted into currencies:

Step 1: Highlight the specific cells that you want to include.

Step 2: Select ‘Format’ then ‘Number’ and ‘Currency’.

Step 3: Select ‘Currency (rounded)’ if you wish to have no cents in the currency.

iv. Set Date Format

To modify numbers into date formats:

Step 1: Choose the cells or the range where you intend to apply the date format.

Step 2: Click on ‘Format’, choose ‘Number’ then from the drop down ‘Date’.

v. Set Time Format

For time data, you can select the time format for your data:

Step 1: Select the cells or range you wish to set the time format.

Step 2: Click on ‘Format’, choose ‘Number’ then from the dropdown list select ‘Time’.

2. How to adjust text in google sheets

Google sheets offers basic tools that allows a user to customize the text to their preferred editing style. The following is a guide on typing styles:

i. Change Font

To change the font of the text:

Step 1: Choose the cells with the text for formatting.

Step 2: Click the arrow on the font list on the toolbar.

Step 3: From the list, select the font you wish to use.

ii. Modify Font Size

To change the font size:

Step 1: Highlight the cells you wish to apply formatting to.

Step 2: On the toolbar, click the arrow for the specified font size.

Step 3: Choose the font size you would like to use.

iii. Apply Effects to the Font

To accent or decorate the marked text:

Step 1: Highlight the portion of the text you wish to style.

Step 2: Press the appropriate options for:

Bold.

Italic.

Strikethrough.

Font Color to change the color of the font.

iv. Modify the Alignment of the Text

You can align texts in Google Sheets as follows:

Left Align: Aligns the text to the left side of the cell.

Center Align: Centers the text within the cell.

Right Align: Aligns the text to the right side of the cell.

Top Align: Aligns the text to the top of the cell vertically.

Middle Align: Vertically centers the text inside the cell.

Bottom Align: Aligns the text to the bottom of the cell.

v. Wrap Text

Text that is written in Google Sheets usually goes onto other cells. If you want the text to stay in the specified cell, text wrapping can be applied.

Step 1: Highlight the cells you wish to format.

Step 2: In the tool bar press the “Text wrapping” button and choose the “Wrap” option.

3. Formatting Cells in Google Sheets

Cells can also be formatted as an entire unit to allow for better arrangement and articulation. Below are some of the options for formatting cells in Google Sheets:

i. Cell Fill Color

To set a background color for a cell:

Step 1: Identify and select the cell(s) you wish to format.

Step 2: In the tool bar, press on the “Fill color” button.

Step 3: From the color options, select your preferred color.

ii. Merge Cells

To change multiple cells into one composite cell:

Step 1: Identify the cells that are to be merged.

Step 2: In the tool bar, press the “Merge cells” button.

By employing these formatting options in Google Sheets, one can achieve the following key results:

Change the formats for numbers to decimals, percentages, currency, date, and time, as you want.

Change text features by altering fonts, sizes, applying effects, aligning them, and wrapping text to make them readable.