You can enter numbers and format them to display in a variety of ways. Building your worksheet provides basic information about entering and editing data and Why do I need different number formats? describes the various ways of displaying numbers in your worksheet.
Tip To format a number as currency or a percentage, include the currency symbol or the % sign when you enter the number (for example, type $200 or 95%).
You can enter, display, and calculate with any numbers from -1.79769313486231E+308 to 1.79769313486231E+308, including zero.
If you enter a number with more than 15 digits, or if the result of a calculation is more than 15 digits, your spreadsheet rounds the number to 15 digits. If a number appears in the form nE+n, or if a number with decimal places appears rounded, or if the number displays as *** (asterisks) in the cell, it means the entry is too long to display in the column.
The entire entry is stored (up to 15 digits) but can't be displayed. You can see the number by widening the column. To change column width, see Sizing columns.
You can enter a number one way and then change the format to display it a different way. For example, you can enter a number as a percentage and change the format to display it as currency. Changing the format changes how the number is displayed , but does not change how the number is stored or used in calculations. Formatting numbers gives you more information about changing the number format.