WPS Spreadsheets: Format IF Results in Scientific Notation
Question details
The user needs to control decimal places and scientific notation when an IF formula combines text with a numeric cell value.
- Product
- WPS Spreadsheets
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- A formula adds text, such as a less-than sign, to a referenced number and must display that number in a defined scientific notation format.
- Observed behavior
- The formula result is converted to text, so regular cell number formatting does not control the numeric portion of the displayed result.
Confirm that the referenced cell, such as N9, contains a numeric value. Decide whether the result should use scientific notation, fixed decimal places, or another custom number format before editing the formula.
Use TEXT to format the numeric value before concatenating it
Use this solution when an IF formula or text expression combines a symbol with a number and the displayed decimals or scientific notation must remain consistent.
When text and a number are joined with the ampersand operator, the result becomes text. Apply the desired number format with TEXT before concatenating the value; changing the cell's number format alone cannot format the numeric portion afterward.
In WPS Spreadsheets, click the cell containing the IF or concatenation formula, then click the formula bar to edit it.
Replace the direct numeric reference with TEXT using a format code, for example: ="<"&TEXT(N9,"0.00E+00").
Press Enter to calculate the formula. A value such as 1.67E-15 will display as <1.67E-15.
For an IF formula, place the formatted expression in the true or false result, such as =IF(N9<0,"<"&TEXT(ABS(N9),"0.00E+00"),TEXT(N9,"0.00E+00")).
Use a fixed-decimal TEXT format instead of scientific notation
Use this variation when the result should show a specific number of decimal places without an exponent.
Control IF Formula Number Formatting with TEXT in WPS Spreadsheets
WPS Spreadsheets lets you format numeric references inside IF and concatenation formulas with TEXT, so symbols, decimal places, and scientific notation remain consistent in the final text result.
- 1. Open the workbook: Launch WPS Office, open the spreadsheet, and select the cell containing the IF result.
- 2. Edit the formula: Click the formula bar and insert TEXT around the numeric reference, for example: ="<"&TEXT(N9,"0.00E+00").
- 3. Confirm the result: Press Enter and check that the number displays with the requested scientific notation and decimal places.
- 4. Save the file: Use File > Save or Save As to preserve the formula in the workbook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does changing the cell format not change the number inside my IF result?
A formula that joins text and a number with & returns text. Use TEXT around the numeric reference, such as TEXT(N9,"0.00E+00"), because ordinary cell number formatting does not format numbers after they have been converted to text.
How do I show two decimal places in scientific notation?
Use the format code "0.00E+00" inside TEXT. For example, ="<"&TEXT(N9,"0.00E+00") displays a value such as <1.67E-15.
Can I use TEXT inside an IF function?
Yes. Put the TEXT expression in the result returned by IF, such as =IF(N9<0,"<"&TEXT(ABS(N9),"0.00E+00"),TEXT(N9,"0.00E+00")). Adjust the condition and output text for your worksheet.
What format should I use for regular decimal values instead of scientific notation?
Use a fixed-decimal format such as "0.00" in TEXT: ="<"&TEXT(N9,"0.00"). You can change the number of zeros to control the displayed decimal places.
