You can make zeros show as dashes in Excel in a few different ways, depending on whether you only want to change how they look or actually replace the values.

Fastest method (Format Cells)

This changes only the display, not the underlying values.

  1. Select the cells where you want 0 to show as -.
  1. Press Ctrl + 1 to open Format Cells.
  1. Go to the Number tab.
  1. Choose Custom.
  1. In Type , enter a custom format like:
    • For integers:
      0;[Red]-0;"-"
 * For two decimals:

#,##0.00;[Red]-#,##0.00;"-"

  1. Click OK.

Now any true zero in those cells will display as a dash, but formulas will still see it as 0.

Simple option (Accounting format)

If you’re okay with “accounting-style” dashes:

  1. Select your range.
  1. Press Ctrl + 1 → Number tab.
  1. Choose Accounting.
  1. Set Symbol to None and click OK.

Zeros will show as centered dashes automatically.

Using a formula (change the value shown)

If you’re putting results in a separate column and want the displayed result to be either a dash or the number:

  1. Suppose the original value is in C6.
  2. In another cell, enter:
    =IF(C6=0,"-",C6)
  1. Fill the formula down.

Those cells will literally contain a dash text value instead of 0.

Find & Replace (permanent change to dashes)

Use this only if you truly want to turn zero values into dash text.

  1. Select the range (or whole sheet with Ctrl + A).
  1. Press Ctrl + H to open Find and Replace.
  1. In Find what : type 0.
  1. In Replace with : type -.
  1. Click Options >> and tick Match entire cell contents so you don’t touch numbers like 10.
  1. Click Replace All.

Now any cell that was exactly 0 becomes a dash text value.

Which method should you pick?

  • Use Custom format if you want clean reports and formulas to still work with real zeros.
  • Use Accounting format for quick financial-style layouts.
  • Use the IF formula when building a separate, presentation‑friendly output column.
  • Use Find & Replace only when you truly don’t need numeric zeros anymore.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.