Apply General Format in Excel

The General format in Excel is the default cell format. Applying General format removes specific formatting (like Number, Date, or Text) and displays the data in a default, flexible way.

How to Apply General Format

1. Select the cells you want to format
2. Go to the Home tab → Number group
3. Choose General from the dropdown menu
4. Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + ~ (Windows) to apply General format quickly

Tips & Best Practices

• Use General format when you want Excel to decide the display format automatically
• It’s ideal for raw data that will be processed or analyzed later
• Switch back to General if previous formatting caused unwanted display changes

FAQ

Q: What happens if I apply General format to a date?

Excel will display the date as a number representing the serial date value.

Q: Can I apply General format to multiple sheets at once?

Yes, select the sheets and apply the format to the selected cells.

Q: Does General format affect formulas?

No, it only affects how the results are displayed, not the underlying calculation.