How to Stop Google Sheets from Rounding Numbers

Written by Tijana Google Workplace / Sheets

- 3 min read

Getting exact values is extremely important when working with numbers on a daily basis. Google Sheets rounds up numbers by default, which can at times make the whole process a bit harder.

Before we initiate the process of explaining how to stop Google Sheets from rounding numbers, you should know that it only does so visually.

In actuality, Google Sheets doesn't make real adjustments to the numbers you enter.

Additionally, a formatted cell as a currency will always, by default, show two decimal places, unless you make custom formatting.

If you're struggling to stop Sheets from rounding numbers, you're in the right place. Check out the step-by-step process below to learn how to do so.

Check out: How to Unhide Rows in Google Sheets.

How do I stop Google Sheets from rounding numbers?

If you want Google Sheets to show the exact number of decimals, it would be best to use the TRUNC() function.

What the TRUNC(), or truncate function, does is it allows the displaying of decimal places option without rounding up or down the numbers you enter.

Using the TRUNC function is the simplest and most effective way to stop Google Sheets from rounding numbers.

Check out the step-by-step process:

The function is as follows:

=TRUNC(value,[places])

  • = is the basis of the function.
  • TRUNC stands for the command that navigates Sheets to truncate.
  • value stands for the amount you need to show, which will not be rounded.
  • place stands for the number of decimals you want to show up in the cell.

Follow these steps:

  1. For example, if you want the cell to show 123.45678 without the numbers being rounded up or down, the function will be =TRUNC(123.45678,5).
  2. Select the cell where you want the number to not be rounded, and enter the formula.

trunc-function-sheets

In addition, you can enter variables in the value section. This will help you not to enter numbers manually.

Example: if you want to truncate the value from a cell, for example, A3, and it's showing up to five decimals, the correct formula would be =TRUNC(A1,5). To add multiple cells, the correct formula would be =TRUNC(A3+A4,5).

Moreover, to create the sum of several cells, you can adjust the function in the formula bar. For example, to calculate the sum of cells A1 to A3, the formula would be =TRUNC(SUM(A1:A3),6).

truncsum-function-sheets

By following these steps, you'll be able to make Google Sheets stop rounding numbers and increase the number of decimals.

Note: If you run into a #NAME error, this means that Sheets is having issues when trying to locate the value that you have entered. Make sure that the correct cell is entered before you press enter to run the calculations.

Related: How to Add Subscript and Superscript in Google Sheets.

Conclusion

Working with numbers in Google Sheets can be challenging, especially if you're unsure of the process of increasing decimals that show up in the cells.

In this article, we explained how to stop Google Sheets from rounding numbers by using the =TRUNC() function.

You might also like: How to Combine First and Last Names in Google Sheets and How to Remove Gridlines in Google Sheets.