To format money without a dollar sign in Excel 2013, select the cells, press Ctrl + 1 to open Format Cells, choose Accounting (or Currency) on the Number tab, set Symbol to None, and click OK. You get two decimal places and thousands separators, like 1,249.50, with no $ symbol. The quickest one-click option is the Comma Style button (,) on the Home tab, which applies Accounting format without a currency symbol.
Here’s how each option looks and when to use it. The steps are the same in newer versions of Excel.
Options at a glance
| Format | 1249.5 displays as | Negative numbers |
|---|---|---|
| Comma Style (Home tab) | 1,249.50 | (1,249.50) |
| Accounting, Symbol: None | 1,249.50 (decimals line up) | (1,249.50) |
| Currency, Symbol: None | 1,249.50 | -1,249.50, red, or parentheses (your choice) |
| Number, 2 decimals, 1000 separator | 1,249.50 | Your choice |
Method 1: Comma Style (fastest)
- Select the cells.
- On the Home tab, in the Number group, click the Comma Style button (a comma icon).
Use Increase Decimal or Decrease Decimal next to it to change decimal places.
Method 2: Accounting or Currency with no symbol
- Select the cells and press Ctrl + 1, or right-click and choose Format Cells.
- On the Number tab, click Accounting or Currency.
- Set Decimal places (usually 2).
- Set Symbol to None.
- Click OK.
Method 3: Number format with separators
- Press Ctrl + 1 and choose Number.
- Set Decimal places to 2 and check Use 1000 Separator (,).
- Pick how negative numbers should look, then click OK.
Remove dollar signs you typed
If the dollar signs are part of text (the cells are left-aligned and won’t add up), select the cells, press Ctrl + H, find $, leave Replace with empty, and click Replace All. Then apply one of the formats above.
Frequently asked questions
Will removing the dollar sign change my numbers?
No. Formatting only changes how values look. Formulas still use the full value.
Why do Accounting and Comma Style look indented?
They leave space for a symbol and parentheses so decimals line up in columns. Use Number or Currency for left-aligned-looking numbers.
How do I show a different currency symbol?
In Format Cells > Currency or Accounting, choose a symbol like € or £ from the Symbol list. For Excel on the web, see how to apply currency formatting in Excel Online.
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