The default color of the font in Excel is Automate (black). Sometimes, you may need to change the font colour of your values in the cells. In financial worksheets, losses are usually indicated in red colors. However, the user needs to set the color depending on the dataset. In this article, we shall discuss ways of showing negative numbers in red color. Below are some of the methods that can be used:
Using the Number Format Tool
The Number Format tool is used to customize numbers and change how they are displayed in the cells. Below are the steps to follow while using this method to show negative numbers in red color:
1. Open the Excel application.
2. Open the Worksheet with the dataset you wish to sort the negative numbers.
3. Highlight all the cells with your dataset and right-click.
4. From the menu, choose the Format cells button.
5. In the Format Cells dialogue box, click the Number tab. Then, click the Number option in the left pane.
6. In the Negative Numbers section, choose the numbers with the red color.
7. Finally, hit the OK button to close the box.
Using the Custom Number Formatting
Below are the steps to follow while using this method to show negative numbers in red color:
1. Open the Excel application.
2. Open the Worksheet with the dataset you wish to sort the negative numbers.
3. Highlight all the cells with your dataset and right-click.
4. From the menu, choose the Format cells button.
5. In the Format Cells dialogue box, click the Number tab. Then, click the Custom option in the left pane.
6. In the Type section, paste this #,##0.00;[Red]-#,##0.00;0.00
7. Finally, hit the OK button to close the box.
Using the VBA Tool
VBA feature can also be used to change the color of negative numbers.
Below are the steps to follow while using this method to show negative numbers in red color:
1. Open the Excel application.
2. Open the Worksheet with the dataset you wish to sort the negative numbers.
3. Highlight all the cells with your dataset.
4. Click on the Developer tab on the Ribbon, and then locate the Visual Basic button.
5. In the Visual Basic screen, click the Insert tab on the Ribbon and select the Module button.
6. Type the following code in the empty module.
Sub ChangeFontColor()
Dim rng As Range
For Each rng In Selection
If rng.Value < 0 Then
rng.Font.Color = vbRed
Else
rng.Font.Color = vbBlack
End If
Next rng
End Sub
7. Press the F5 button to run the code. In the Macros dialogue box, set the name of your macros. Alternatively, you can run the code by clicking the Run tab on the Ribbon and then choosing the Run option.
8. Finally, click the Run button in the macros box.