The General format is the default number format that Excel applies when you type a number. For the most part, numbers that are formatted with the General format are displayed just the way that you type them. However, if the cell is not wide enough to show the entire number, the General format rounds numbers that have decimals. The General number format also uses scientific (exponential) notation for large numbers (12 or more digits). Select the cell or range of cells that you want to reformat to the default number format. How to select a cell or a range To select Do this ...