Keep a close eye on the increase/decrease decimals buttons on the Excel ribbon because Microsoft is changing them without warning.
Increase / decrease decimals is a very common Excel feature to change the visible accuracy of a number. For example, choosing Currency or Accounting style (which defaults to two decimal places / cents) then hitting the ‘Decrease Decimals’ button to show whole Dollars/Pounds/Euro only.
Swapped buttons
Excel in a browser has swapped the order of the increase/decrease decimal buttons. Decrease decimals is on the left, unlike other Excel releases. Here’s how it now looks on the Home tab.
This has happened without explanation or warning. Some people have noticed and are applauding the decision. They think the current positions (increase on the left, decrease on the right) is wrong.
On the other hand, it’ll confuse many Excel users, especially those who switch between different Excels for Windows, Mac and online.
Maybe Microsoft will apply this change to Excel for Windows, Mac and mobile apps? Will they bother notifying their paying customers?
Meantime the other Excels have the button the other way around, but for how long?
Better button icons
The icons have improved with ‘decrease decimal’ showing a single “0” vs ‘increase decimal’ with two, unlike the other Excel ribbons with somewhat confusing and similar buttons.
Excel for Windows
Here’s the current order of increase/decrease buttons in each of the major Excel releases. Excel for Windows …
The icons for other Excels are harder to understand with three “0” in each.
Excel for Mac
Excel for iOS
On an iPhone, Increase Decimal comes first.
