IGCSE ICT 0417 - Graphs and Charts

16. Formatting Numerical Values - Currency Symbols

This section explains how to format numerical values to display currency symbols, a crucial skill for presenting financial data clearly and professionally in graphs and charts.

Why is Currency Formatting Important?

Currency formatting makes numerical data easily understandable. It clearly indicates the monetary value and avoids ambiguity. Without proper formatting, a number like '12345.67' could be misinterpreted.

Formatting Techniques

Several techniques can be used to format numbers as currency. The specific method depends on the software being used (e.g., spreadsheet programs like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets).

1. Using Currency Format in Spreadsheet Software

Most spreadsheet programs have a built-in currency format. This is the easiest and most common method.

1. Select the cells containing the numerical values you want to format.
2. Go to the 'Home' tab (in Excel) or 'Format' menu (in Google Sheets).
3. Look for the 'Currency' or 'Accounting' format option.
4. Choose the appropriate currency symbol (e.g., £ for British Pound, $ for US Dollar, € for Euro).

2. Using Custom Number Formatting

Custom number formatting provides more control over the currency display. This is useful if you need to specify the symbol's position or add extra characters.

Example: `$#,##0.00` This format will display numbers with a dollar sign, commas separating thousands, and two decimal places.

To apply custom formatting:

1. Select the cells.
2. Access the 'Format Cells' dialog (right-click and select 'Format Cells' in Excel, or 'Format' -> 'Number' -> 'More formats' -> 'Custom' in Google Sheets).
3. In the 'Category' list, choose 'Currency'.
4. Enter the desired format code in the 'Type' box.

Example

Consider the following data representing sales figures:

• £12,345.67
• $98,765.43
• €5,678.90

After applying currency formatting, the data would be displayed as:

• £12,345.67
• $98,765.43
• €5,678.90

Important Considerations

When creating graphs and charts, ensure that the currency format is consistent throughout the visualization. This avoids confusion and ensures accurate interpretation of the data.

Table Example

The following table demonstrates how currency formatting can be used to present financial data.

Item	Price (£)
Laptop	£1,200.00
Mouse	£25.00
Keyboard	£75.50

Figure Caption: A table showing items and their prices formatted with the British Pound symbol.