It is true that you need Excel to apply the red format automatically to
negative numbers, but it is also true that a decimal tab will align numbers
on the decimal point *whether or not it is present.* In other words, you can
align numbers as various as these:

$1,200.00
2.14159
30,000
(300.00)
$500*

All will align on the first nonnumeric character that is not a thousands
separator (the comma in English usage). This means that you can use
parentheses, note reference marks, and a variety of other text (including
spaces) after the numbers, and the number will align on either the decimal
point or the place where it would be if there were one. And note that
parentheses are commonly used to indicate negative numbers in Word
documents.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.word.mvps.org
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"EmileeSuzanne" wrote in
message ...

Doug's reply makes a lot of sense . . . a decimal tab is made to line up
the _decimal_, not the commas. Excel has the capability of "conditional
formatting," with which you can make all negative numbers automatically
turn red. You could then insert the spreadsheet directly into Word if
need be.


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