Function Problems

How to Round Excel Formula Results to Whole Numbers

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 873 views

Question details

The user wants to know how to round the result of an Excel formula to a whole number, either by modifying the actual stored value or by changing the display format to show zero decimal places.

Excel Round function to the nearest whole number

Product: Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Calculating data that results in decimals, where a clean whole number is required for reporting, display, or subsequent calculations.
Observed behavior: Formula calculations result in numbers with unwanted decimal places instead of clean whole numbers.

Before you start

Determine whether you need to change the actual underlying value for future calculations (using a formula) or if you just want to change how the number looks on the screen (using cell formatting).

Solution 1Recommended

Use the ROUND Function to Change the Actual Value

Wrap your existing formula in the ROUND function to permanently alter the calculated result to a whole number.

Using the ROUND function changes the actual data stored in the cell. This means that any downstream formulas relying on this cell will use the rounded whole number, preventing rounding errors in large totals.

Select the cell

Click on the cell containing the formula you want to round.

Edit the formula

Click into the formula bar at the top of the worksheet. Type =ROUND( immediately after the equals sign of your existing formula.

Set decimal places to zero

At the very end of your existing formula, type , 0) and press Enter. For example, if your formula was =A1*B1, it should now look like =ROUND(A1*B1, 0).

Alternative Rounding Functions: If you need a specific rounding direction, you can use =ROUNDUP(formula, 0) to always round up to the next whole number, or =ROUNDDOWN(formula, 0) to always round down.

Solution 2

Format Cells to Display Zero Decimal Places

Use this method if you want to display a whole number but keep the exact decimal value hidden for precise background calculations.

Efficient Spreadsheet Management

Easily Manage Formulas and Formatting in WPS Spreadsheet

WPS Spreadsheet offers powerful built-in functions and intuitive cell formatting tools, making it easy to round numbers, analyze data, and manage complex calculations.

1. Open your file: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open the document containing your data.
2. Apply the ROUND function: Click the cell with your calculation, type =ROUND( before it, add , 0) to the end, and press Enter.
3. Use visual formatting: Alternatively, select your cells, right-click to choose 'Format Cells', and set decimal places to 0 under the Number tab.

100% compatible with Microsoft Excel formulas like ROUND, ROUNDUP, and ROUNDDOWN.Intuitive Format Cells dialog for quick decimal and visual adjustments.Lightweight and fast performance, even when processing massive datasets.Free to use for your daily personal and professional spreadsheet tasks.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my rounded total different from the sum of the rounded numbers?

If you only use cell formatting to hide decimals, the spreadsheet still calculates the total using the exact underlying decimal values. This can make the sum appear slightly off. To ensure totals perfectly match the visible numbers, use the ROUND function to alter the actual stored values instead of just formatting them.

Can I round to the nearest 10 or 100 instead of a whole number?

Yes, you can use a negative number for the second argument in the ROUND function. For example, =ROUND(A1, -1) rounds to the nearest 10, and =ROUND(A1, -2) rounds to the nearest 100.

How do I round numbers permanently without keeping the formulas?

If you want to replace your formulas with static rounded numbers, you can use the ROUND function in an adjacent column to calculate the whole numbers. Then, copy those new results, right-click the original cells, and select Paste Special > Values to overwrite the formulas with static text.

Is there a button to quickly remove decimal places?

Yes. On the Home tab in the ribbon, look for the 'Decrease Decimal' button (an icon showing .00 with an arrow pointing right). Clicking this button repeatedly will reduce the visible decimal places down to a whole number.

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