Introduction
When you frequently enter numbers with decimal points (e.g., 14.3, 9.8, 3.4) in Excel, it can be surprisingly stressful if “the decimal key is hard to press” or if “you don’t have a numeric keypad.”
I actually handle such tasks, and I wondered if there was a way to input data more easily. I discovered that Excel has a feature to “Automatically insert a decimal point,” which I found very convenient, so I would like to share it.
What I want to achieve
- I want to automatically insert a decimal point just by typing the numbers.
- Example: Input
143→ Automatically display14.3. - I want to handle decimals smoothly without pressing the decimal point key.
Setup Steps: “Automatically insert a decimal point”
Follow these steps to configure the setting:
- Open Excel.
- Click the File tab.
- Select Options, then choose Advanced from the left menu.
- Check the box for Automatically insert a decimal point in the “Editing options” section.
- Set the Places to
1. - Click OK to save the settings.
Effect of the setting
When you enable this setting, the input behavior changes as follows:
- Input
143→ Displays14.3in the cell - Input
98→9.8 - Input
34→3.4
In other words, a decimal point is automatically inserted one digit before the end of the entered number. This is a very convenient setting when you do not have a numeric keypad or want to make data entry more efficient.
Notes and Supplements
- This setting applies to Excel as a whole (not just specific cells or sheets).
- If you are using it temporarily, it is recommended to uncheck it after finishing your work.
- Since it is off by default, you need to enable it manually.
Summary
Excel has a feature called “Automatically insert a decimal point” to assist with decimal entry. It allows you to input decimals smoothly even without a numeric keypad, making repetitive decimal entry tasks much easier.
It is a simple but very useful setting, so if you didn’t know about it, please give it a try.
