How to Apply Currency Formatting in Google Sheets

Numbers that represent money are much easier to read with a currency symbol, thousands separators and exactly two decimal places. Google Sheets can apply currency formatting to any cells in one click, and it can also show other currencies, round to whole amounts, or use accounting-style alignment. This guide covers every option, plus how to change the default currency for your spreadsheet.

Quick Answer

Select the cells and click the $ (Format as currency) button on the toolbar. Or choose Format > Number > Currency. For other currencies, choose Format > Number > Custom currency and pick the symbol you want.

Apply Currency Formatting

1. Select the cells, column or row you want to format. Click a column letter to select the whole column.
2. Click the $ button on the toolbar (Format as currency).

Or use the menu:

1. Select the cells.
2. Click Format > Number.
3. Choose Currency (two decimals, such as $1,000.12) or Currency rounded (whole numbers, such as $1,000).

Formatting changes only how values look; the numbers underneath stay the same, so formulas still work.

Use a Different Currency (Euros, Pounds, Yen and More)

1. Select the cells.
2. Click Format > Number > Custom currency, or click 123 on the toolbar and choose Custom currency.
3. Search for the currency, such as Euro or GBP.
4. Choose a format, for example €1,000.00 or 1.000,00 €, then click Apply.

You can edit the format in the box before applying, such as removing decimals or putting the symbol after the number.

Change the Default Currency for a Spreadsheet

The $ button uses the currency of the spreadsheet’s locale. To change it:

1. Click File > Settings.
2. On the General tab, change Locale, for example to United Kingdom for pounds or Germany for euros.
3. Click Save settings.

Locale also changes date formats and decimal separators, so check your other data afterward.

Accounting and Financial Formats

• Accounting (Format > Number > Accounting) lines up the currency symbols and decimals in a column and shows negative numbers in parentheses.
• Financial shows parentheses for negatives without a symbol.
• For red negative numbers, use Custom number format (Format > Number > Custom number format) with a format like $#,##0.00;[Red]-$#,##0.00.

Adjust Decimal Places

Use the .0 (Decrease decimal places) and .00 (Increase decimal places) buttons next to the $ button. For example, to show prices to the cent, keep two decimals.

Remove Currency Formatting

Select the cells and choose Format > Number > Automatic or Number. Or use Format > Clear formatting (Ctrl + \) to remove all formatting.

Currency Formatting on Phones and Tablets

In the Google Sheets app, select the cells, tap the Format (A) icon, go to the Cell tab, tap Number format, and choose Currency or Currency rounded. Tap More formats for other currencies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my number show as text with a $ in it?

If you typed “$4.99” into a cell with Plain text format, Sheets stores it as text. Change the format to Automatic or Currency and retype the value.

Can I convert between currencies?

Formatting doesn’t convert values. Use the GOOGLEFINANCE function, for example =A2*GOOGLEFINANCE("CURRENCY:USDEUR"), to convert at the current rate.

Can I apply currency formatting to a whole column automatically?

Yes. Click the column letter and apply the format; new values typed in that column use it too.

Summary

1. Select the cells.
2. Click the $ button, or Format > Number > Currency.
3. Use Custom currency for other symbols.
4. Change File > Settings > Locale for a different default currency.