At 100% zoom setting in Excel, the numbers display correctly. If I have a column of 7 digit numbers, all 7 numbers line up correctly, all down the column. For example, 1111111 is the same width as 8888888:
However, if I zoom to something less than 80%, the numbers become proportional, and don't line up correctly. Here are the same numbers and dates, at 70% zoom.
An entry of 1,111,111 is much narrower than 8,888,888. This can cause problems, if you're skimming down a long column of numbers, to spot entries that are unusually large.
Change a Registry Setting
You can change a registry setting, as described in the following MSKB article, to prevent numbers from displaying in proprotional font. As always, you should make a backup copy of the registry before you tweak any settings:
Euro Currency Character Is Not Displayed Correctly in Excel 2003
This is really a fix for a Euro symbol display problem, but it also fixes the proportional font display.
Here's what the article suggests, and you can replace the 11.0 with the version of Excel that you're using:
- Quit any programs that are running.
- Click Start, and then click Run.
- In the Open box, type regedit, and then click OK.
- Locate, and then click to select the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice11.0ExcelOptions
- After you select the key that is specified in step 4, point to New on the Edit menu, and then click DWORD.
- Type FontSub, and then press ENTER.
- Right-click FontSub, and then click Modify.
- In the Value data box, type 0, and then click OK.
- On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.
- Start Excel.
Test the Result
After making the registry change, open Excel and zoom to 75% or lower. The numbers should remain displayed in non-proportional font. Here are those numbers at 70%, after the fix – problem solved!
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