How to make zero a dash in Excel 

Conversion of zero(0) into a dash(-) is a simple formatting technique used in Excel to visually show empty or blank cells instead of using zero. It is advantageous in presenting data in a more comprehensible format and is easy to use while dealing with situations in which zero is irrelevant or ambiguous. 

There are many ways to convert a zero into a dash. However, in this tutorial, we’ll discuss the two most convenient methods to carry out this conversion. 

METHOD 1 – By using the ‘Find and Select” command 

In this method, we’ll use the “Find and Select” command in order to convert a zero into a dash. 

Consider the following data set containing a record of pocket money spent by children in seven days: 

The following steps should be followed to perform this conversion: 

STEP 1 – Locate the “Find and Select” command 

• Go to the “Home” tab. 
• Move your cursor to the “Editing” group. 
• There you will observe the “Find and Select” command. 

STEP 2 – Replace the zero(0) with the dash(-) 

• Click on the “Find and Select” command. 
• Select the “Replace” option. 

• In the “Find what” box, write “0”(zero). 
• In the “Replace with” box, write “–”(dash). 
• Select the “Replace All” option. 
• All the zeros will be replaced with dashes. 

METHOD 2 – By using the formatting technique 

In this method, we’ll use the format option to replace the zero with a dash. 

Consider the same data set as in the above case: 

The following steps should be considered to replace a zero with a dash: 

STEP 1 – Locate the “Format cells” option 

• Select the data in which you want to replace the zero with a dash. 

• Click on the Right-button. A drop-down menu will appear. 
• There you will find the Format cells option. 
• You can also find this option in the Home tab. 

STEP 2 – Use the Custom category to replace the zero with a dash 

• Click on the Format Cells option. A drop-down menu will appear. 

• Select the Custom category and move your cursor in the typing box. 
• Write the following command in the box:   #;#;-   
• Click on “OK”. 
• All the zeros in the data will be converted into dashes.