How to add the euro sign in Excel
The right way to add the euro sign in Excel is a number format: select the amounts, press Ctrl + 1 and choose Currency with the € symbol. To type the sign itself in a cell, hold Alt and type 0128 on the numeric keypad, or use =UNICHAR(8364).
Quick answer
Format: Ctrl + 1 → Currency → Symbol €. Character: Alt + 0128, or =UNICHAR(8364).
Step by step
Select the amounts
Highlight the cells that hold prices or totals.
Open Format Cells
Press Ctrl + 1 (Command + 1 on a Mac) and choose Currency or Accounting.
Choose €
Open the Symbol list and pick an entry such as “€ Euro (€ 123)” or “€ Euro (123 €)”, depending on where the sign should go.
Set decimals
Choose 2 decimal places and click OK. The values stay numeric, so totals and charts still work.
Before or after the number?
Style depends on the country. Irish and Dutch conventions put the sign first (€12.50 or € 12,50), while France, Germany, Spain and Italy usually write it after with a space (12,50 €). Excel’s Symbol list includes both placements. The decimal and thousands separators come from your system’s regional settings, not from the currency format.
Typing € on the keyboard
- US layout: Alt + 0128 on the numeric keypad.
- UK layout: AltGr + 4.
- German, French and Spanish layouts: AltGr + E.
- Mac (US): Option + Shift + 2.
AltGr is the right-hand Alt key; on keyboards without one, Ctrl + Alt does the same job.
The euro in formulas
For a label such as “Total: €1,234.50”, use ="Total: "&TEXT(B10,"€#,##0.00"). =UNICHAR(8364) returns € on any platform. In Windows Excel =CHAR(128) also works, because 128 is the euro’s slot in the Windows-1252 code page, but CHAR(128) gives a different result on a Mac, so prefer UNICHAR in shared workbooks.
Converting currencies
Excel does not change the value when you switch symbols; formatting € onto a dollar amount only relabels it. For live exchange rates in Microsoft 365, use the Currencies data type (Data → Currencies) or a rate table and multiply.
See the euro sign € reference, other currency symbols and typing € on Windows.
Frequently asked questions
What is the alt code for the euro sign?
Alt + 0128 on the numeric keypad. In Word you can also type 20AC and press Alt + X.
How do I change Excel from $ to €?
Select the cells, press Ctrl + 1, choose Currency or Accounting and pick € from the Symbol list.
What is the Excel formula for the euro symbol?
=UNICHAR(8364). =CHAR(128) works only in Windows Excel.
Why does my € show as a box?
The font lacks the euro glyph, which can happen with very old fonts. Switch the cells to a modern font such as Calibri or Aptos.