Lesson 22 of 29, Analysis
ROUND, ROUNDUP & ROUNDDOWN
Formatting hides decimals; rounding removes them.
Watch it done
4 stepsWatch the technique worked out on sample data, then try it yourself in the exercises.
How it works
Number formatting changes how a value looks, not the value itself. Math still uses every decimal. ROUND(x, 2) actually changes the value to two places.
Negative digits round left of the decimal: ROUND(x, -3) rounds to the nearest thousand. ROUNDUP and ROUNDDOWN always go one way. Use ROUNDUP for "how many boxes do I need?"
Syntax
=ROUND(A2,2)To cents=ROUNDUP(B2/C2,0)Always up to a whole number=ROUND(B2,-3)Nearest thousandWatch out for
- Formatted values can appear to sum to $100.00 when the real total is $100.004. Round money before you total it.
The exercises
- Round to cents. In B2, round each raw cost to 2 decimal places. Fill down to B6.
- Boxes needed. In D2, calculate how many boxes each order needs. A partial box still counts as a box. Fill down to D6.
- Nearest thousand. In C2, round each listing price to the nearest $1,000. Fill down to C6.
Graded practice for this lesson is part of Pro
The walkthrough and notes are open to everyone. Pro unlocks the exercises here and in the other 27 Pro lessons, Excel and Google Sheets, 79 exercises in all.
- Round to cents
- Boxes needed
- Nearest thousand