The automatic format uses a cell’s content to determine how to display the content. When you add a new cell, its content is displayed using the automatic format by default.

To apply the automatic format:
  1. Select the cell or cells.

  2. Click Inspector in the toolbar, and then click the Table button.

  3. In the Table inspector, click Format.

  4. Choose Automatic from the Cell Format pop-up menu.

This content in a cell assigned the automatic format
Is formatted like this for display

A number

Decimal places and commas are preserved as entered.

For example, 1,000,000.008 displays as 1,000,000.008.

A currency value

Decimal places and commas are preserved as entered. For example $1,000.0075 displays as $1,000.0075.

A date value

The value is preserved as entered and treated as text, not as a date, in formulas.

For example, 1/1 displays as 1/1.

A Boolean value

The values “true” and “false” are converted to “TRUE” and “FALSE.” These cells can be used in Boolean operations in formulas.

A percentage value

A number followed by the % sign is displayed as entered, and in formulas the value is treated as a percentage value. A space before the % sign is not required.

For example, you can type 5% or 5 %.

A scientific value

The display format rounds the value to 2 decimal places.

For example, 1.777E3 is displayed as 1.78+E3.

A duration value

The value is preserved as entered and treated as text.

A fraction value

The value is preserved as entered and treated as text.

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