There's a quiet perfectionism in the request that sparked this conversation, and we respect it deeply. The user wants numbers that behave like well-mannered guests: commas where they belong, parentheses and red for negatives, a dash instead of a zero, and no decimal point unless it's earned. That's not picky. That's clarity. The frustration is real because the format string `#,###.##;Red;-` gets them 90% of the way there, but that stubborn decimal point still appears on round numbers. It's a small flaw that undermines the entire aesthetic they're after.
Here's the practical truth: standard number formatting in most spreadsheet applications cannot conditionally hide a decimal point based on whether the fractional part is zero. The format code you're using is a workhorse, but it's not a chameleon. The good news is that the solution exists, and it's not complicated. You need to combine the number format with a logical check, typically using a formula that tests whether the value is a whole number. For example, you can create a helper column or use conditional formatting to apply a different format when `MOD(value,1) = 0`. That way, integers get a clean `#,###` while non-integers keep the two-decimal display. It's an extra step, but it's the difference between almost right and exactly right.
What this means for you is that the tools you're using are capable of the precision you want, but they require a slightly more deliberate approach than a single format string. The user's instinct to push for this level of control is spot on. Too many people accept default formatting that clutters their data with unnecessary zeros or fails to flag negatives clearly. The request for red parentheses on negatives, in particular, isn't just aesthetic; it's a functional cue that helps you spot losses at a glance. And the dash for zero? That's a clean way to avoid the visual noise of a string of zeros in a column.
We'd argue this kind of attention to detail is what separates a spreadsheet that merely functions from one that communicates. When you look at a column of numbers and immediately understand the story without squinting or recalculating, that's not being picky. That's being effective. So, yes, the format string you've built is close, but close isn't the goal. The goal is a spreadsheet that works with you, not against you. Use the conditional approach, test it with a few values, and you'll have the clean, precise formatting you're after. And if you're ever unsure, remember that the format code is just the starting point; the real power is in knowing when to layer on logic.