>Format it as $$,$$9.99. This will force the display of the 3 'positions' shown with '9' as numeric characters - 0 if there is no value in that position. The '$' symbol say to put the dollar sign directly to the left of the right-most non-zero number.

Thanks. So if I understand correctly.

1) Do not use the "currency" format option, instead

2) Simply specify the format as given above and all will be copacetic, si?

A follow-up question....

How could I have looked up this information. I have searched everywhere for a complete specification for "format templates", "format masks", etc. to no avail.

Is this arcane information documented (completely!) anywhere?