Excel: How to show negative numbers as red

When you Use Microsoft Excel Sometimes, negative numbers may be required for items like your household budget, product inventory or business finances. These numbers can be made to pop by using a bright red color.

This article will explain how to make negative numbers red in Excel. Choose the method that is most convenient for you or best for your spreadsheet.

For Negative Red Numbers, Format the Cells

To make negative numbers red easy, simply open your spreadsheet to create a new workbook. Then follow these steps.

1. Choose the cells that you wish to format.
2. Use the following for the complete sheet Select All You will find the button (triangle) at the top-left of the sheet in the column between row A and row 1. The entire sheet should now be shaded.
3. You can drag the cursor around certain cells to find them, or you can hold Ctrl Each one will be selected individually.
4. Click on any selected cell and click the right mouse button to select it Format Cells To open the Format Cells Dialog Box.

5. On the Number Select the appropriate format type from the tab Category You can find the list to your left. Format negative numbers or currency in a red font.
6. Choose one of two red choices from the list to the right Negative numbers box. It is possible to use only red as the number, or you can place it in parentheses.

7. Select OK Click the button at the bottom of the page to make the changes.

Afterwards, you should see the negative numbers within your cells turning red and the positive ones remaining the same.

You can create a customized format for Negative red numbers

Although the above option is the easiest to change negative values into red, it may be too complicated for you. Maybe you prefer the number to have the negative sign (-). This is possible by creating a unique number format.

1. You will need to select the cells and sheets where the formatting should be applied as per Step 1 below.
2. Click on any selected cell and click the right mouse button to select it Format Cells.
3. On the Number Tab, select Custom In the Category You can find the list to your left.
4. In the Type Box to the right Enter: General;[Red]-General.

5. Select OK To apply the formatting.

You’ll now see the worksheet update. Turn negative numbers red, while keeping the minus sign in front.

For Negative Red Numbers, Conditional Formatting is a good option

You can also make Excel negative numbers red by using this method A conditional formatting rule . . This method has the advantage that you can pick the color of red you prefer or add additional formatting, such as making cells bolder or underlined or changing font colors.

1. You can choose the data area where you wish to apply formatting, or all sheets as explained above.
2. Click here Home Select the tab, and then click on “Tab” Conditional Formatting Drop-down menu Styles The ribbon is divided into sections.
3. Your cursor can be moved to Highlight Cell Rules Pick and choose Less Than In the pop-out men.

4. Then, enter zero (0 in the little box) Format cells that are LESS THAN box.
5. Select from the drop-down box to your right Red Text.

6. You can also choose another short format from our list, or you could select Custom Format You can use it. If the former is what you want, visit the Font Tab and then use the Color Select the desired shade from the drop-down list. It is possible to use More Colors Click here to view additional options. You can apply any formatting to cells that have negative numbers.

7. Select the OK Use the button OK If you choose a customized option, please again.

Your cells will then be updated to show negative numbers in red font and other formatting.

Excel has built-in options to make negative numbers red. This will allow you to stand out among the others in your spreadsheet.

For more Excel tutorials, look at There are several ways you can convert text into numbers Add the following to your spreadsheet.