How To Remove Decimals In Excel

Excel is a powerhouse tool for data analysis and presentation, but sometimes the data you’re working with doesn’t require the precision of decimal points. Whether you’re preparing a financial report, simplifying data for a presentation, or just prefer whole numbers for your project, removing decimals can make your data cleaner and easier to read. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore various methods to remove decimals in Excel, ensuring your spreadsheets are as clear and concise as possible.

Understanding Excel’s Formatting Options

Before diving into the specifics of removing decimals, it’s important to understand that Excel offers a plethora of formatting options that can change the appearance of your data without altering the underlying values. This distinction is crucial because you may want to display rounded figures while still maintaining the exact numbers for calculations.

Using the ‘Format Cells’ Dialog

One of the simplest ways to remove decimals is by adjusting the cell formatting:

Select the cells you want to format.
Right-click and choose Format Cells from the context menu, or press Ctrl+1.
In the Format Cells dialog box, click on the Number tab.
Under the Category list, select Number.
Adjust the Decimal places to 0 and click OK.

This method will round the numbers in the selected cells to the nearest whole number and remove the decimal points from the display.

Applying Number Formatting via the Ribbon

For a quicker approach, you can also use the ribbon to format numbers:

Select the cells you wish to format.
Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
In the Number group, click on the Decrease Decimal button (it looks like a decimal point with a left arrow) until all decimal places are removed.

This method is a fast way to visually remove decimals, but keep in mind that it doesn’t change the actual cell value.

Altering Data with Excel Functions

If you need to change the actual data and not just its appearance, Excel provides several functions that can help you remove decimals by rounding, truncating, or even changing the data type.

Rounding Numbers with Excel Functions

The ROUND, ROUNDUP, and ROUNDDOWN functions are commonly used to modify the value of a number to a specific number of decimal places. To remove decimals entirely, you would set the number of decimal places to zero.


=ROUND(A1, 0)
=ROUNDUP(A1, 0)
=ROUNDDOWN(A1, 0)

These functions will round the number in cell A1 to the nearest whole number, always round up, or always round down, respectively.

Truncating Numbers Without Rounding

If you want to remove the decimal part of a number without rounding, you can use the TRUNC function:


=TRUNC(A1)

This function will truncate the number in cell A1 to an integer, effectively removing its decimal portion.

Converting to Integer Data Type

Another approach is to convert the number to an integer data type using the INT function:


=INT(A1)

The INT function will round down the number in cell A1 to the nearest integer, removing the decimal part.

Automating Decimal Removal with Excel Features

For those who frequently work with large datasets and need to remove decimals on a regular basis, Excel’s automation features can be a lifesaver.

Creating a Custom Excel Macro

A macro is a sequence of instructions that automates repetitive tasks. You can record a macro that formats selected cells to have no decimal places and then run this macro whenever needed.

Go to the View tab and click on Macros, then select Record Macro.
Perform the steps to remove decimals as described in the previous sections.
Stop recording the macro.
Assign the macro to a button or a keyboard shortcut for easy access.

Now, whenever you need to remove decimals, you can simply run your custom macro.

Utilizing Excel’s ‘Find & Replace’ Feature

The ‘Find & Replace’ feature can also be used creatively to remove decimals:

Press Ctrl+H to open the ‘Find & Replace’ dialog box.
In the Find what: box, type a period (.) to represent the decimal point.
Leave the Replace with: box empty to remove the decimals.
Click Replace All.

This method will remove all decimal points from the selected range, effectively turning the numbers into whole numbers. However, be cautious as this will also remove decimal points from text strings if they are present.

Advanced Techniques for Specific Scenarios

Sometimes, you may encounter more complex scenarios where standard methods of removing decimals are not sufficient. Let’s explore some advanced techniques for these cases.

Handling Decimals in Formulas and Dynamic Data

When working with formulas that output decimal values, you can nest the rounding functions within your formulas to ensure the results are always displayed as whole numbers.


=ROUND(SUM(B1:B10), 0)

This will sum the range B1:B10 and round the result to a whole number.

Dealing with Imported Data and External Sources

If you’re importing data from external sources, you might need to clean up the data before removing decimals. This could involve using text functions like LEFT, RIGHT, and MID to manipulate the data, or using the Text to Columns wizard to separate the integer part from the decimal part before deletion.

FAQ Section

How do I remove decimals without rounding in Excel?

To remove decimals without rounding, you can use the TRUNC function or change the cell format to display zero decimal places.

Can I remove decimals from multiple cells at once?

Yes, you can select multiple cells and apply any of the formatting options or functions mentioned above to all of them simultaneously.

Is there a way to permanently remove decimals from my Excel sheet?

To permanently remove decimals, you’ll need to use a function like ROUND, TRUNC, or INT and then overwrite the original data with the results of these functions.

Will removing decimals affect my calculations?

If you’re only changing the display format, your calculations will not be affected. However, if you’re using functions to alter the data, this could impact calculations that depend on those numbers.

Can I undo the removal of decimals if I make a mistake?

If you’ve just removed decimals, you can quickly undo the action by pressing Ctrl+Z. If you’ve saved the workbook since removing decimals, you’ll need to revert to a previous version or manually correct the data.

Conclusion

Removing decimals in Excel is a task that can be accomplished through various methods, depending on whether you want to change the data’s appearance or its actual value. By understanding and utilizing Excel’s formatting options, functions, and automation features, you can efficiently manage your data and present it in the most effective way possible. Remember to consider the implications of altering your data and choose the method that best suits your needs.

Whether you’re a seasoned Excel user or new to the platform, mastering the art of removing decimals will enhance your data management skills and help you create more polished and professional spreadsheets.