Steps:
 1. Select cell A1.
 2. Type in "-3210.21"
 3. Press [Enter].
 4. Select cell A1.
 5. Press [Ctrl]+[1].
 6. Click on `Number'.
 7. Click on `(3210.21)'.
 8. Click on the `OK' button.

Cell A1 is displayed as "(3210.21)" and is right-aligned. The `data entry
area' still displays "-3210.21".

 9. Press [F2].
10. Press [Enter].
11. Select cell A1.

The `data entry area' now displays "(3210.21)" instead of "-3210.21".

12. Press [F2].
13. Press [Enter].

Cell A1 is now left-aligned instead of right-aligned.

14. Type in "=$A$1*1".
15. Press [Enter]

Cell A2 displays "#VALUE!" which illustrates that a negative displayed
within parentheses can silently transform into text. It appears that
integers are not susceptible to this.

Version:
gnumeric-1.1.19.tar.bz2