TRUNC Function: How to remove decimals and shorten numeric values

There are different ways in Excel to remove decimals and shorten numeric values. In this article, Quantrimang.com will explain how to use the TRUNC function and point out what makes it different from other techniques.

What is the TRUNC function?

The TRUNC function is a Mathematical and Trigonometric function in Excel, which helps to remove the fractional part of a number, or in other words, round the decimal number to an integer. It was first introduced in MS Excel 2007.

How to use the TRUNC function

Let's look at some TRUNC function examples with some sample data. The example below uses the following TRUNC function.

=TRUNC(A2)

If you do not specify how many digits to truncate, all decimal places will be discarded.

TRUNC Function: How to remove decimals and shorten numeric values
If you do not specify how many digits to truncate, all decimal places will be discarded.

You can see with the value in cell A2 that the TRUNC function does not apply any rounding. It simply truncates to 411.

Let's look at another example. This time the example will reduce the values ​​to two decimal places.

=TRUNC(A2,2)

TRUNC Function: How to remove decimals and shorten numeric values
Reduce values ​​to two decimal places

The TRUNC function will not display extra decimals if you ask it to display more than you have.

Take the following example and truncate it to 2 decimal places.

=TRUNC(A2,2)

TRUNC Function: How to remove decimals and shorten numeric values
The value in cell A4 is reduced to 2 decimal places.

The value in cell A4 is reduced to 2 decimal places, but the values ​​in A2 and A3 remain the same because they have less than two decimal places.

If you want to display two decimals, the cells will need to be formatted to force them to display.

Remove time of day and timestamp

A useful example of TRUNC is removing the time portion from dates and timestamps in Excel.

Imagine you have the following date and timestamp, but you only want the date part in the column for analysis.

TRUNC Function: How to remove decimals and shorten numeric values
Remove time part from date and timestamp in Excel

The following formula will remove the time part.

=TRUNC(A2)

TRUNC Function: How to remove decimals and shorten numeric values
The time part has been removed.

Even though the time portion has been removed, the resulting cells will still need to be formatted as dates.

Use TRUNC to shorten numbers

This is a rare technique. When you use a negative number, the function will truncate the numbers to the left of the decimal point. However, it does not change the number of digits, but replaces them with zeros.

Look at the following example.

=TRUNC(A2,-1)

TRUNC Function: How to remove decimals and shorten numeric values
Use TRUNC to shorten numbers

You can see in each example that a 0 is used to replace the number removed to the left of the decimal point.

There are many ways to remove decimal places, however, most of these will round the number in Excel . The beauty of the TRUNC function is that it does not round the values ​​and simply shortens them to the specified number of decimal places.

Refer to more articles about good Excel functions here .

Sign up and earn $1000 a day ⋙

Leave a Comment

How to fix #SPILL! error in Microsoft Excel

How to fix #SPILL! error in Microsoft Excel

The #SPILL! error in Excel is quite common and it is quite simple to fix. Here is how to fix the #SPILL! error easily in Excel.

How to use the FILTER function in Excel

How to use the FILTER function in Excel

If you regularly work with data sets in Excel, you know how important it is to be able to quickly find the information you need.

Why Checkbox is an underutilized Excel feature?

Why Checkbox is an underutilized Excel feature?

On the surface, Excel Checkboxes seem like a very simple feature - which is probably why they are often overlooked.

Why Excel is the only project management tool you need?

Why Excel is the only project management tool you need?

Many people have tried many project management tools, but still come back to Excel for project management. While it may not be perfect for everyone, it is a simple, yet effective solution that you already know how to use.

Microsoft allows users to use Office applications on Windows for free, but with some limitations.

Microsoft allows users to use Office applications on Windows for free, but with some limitations.

Microsoft recently raised the price of its Microsoft 365 subscription, justifying the change by adding more AI experiences to the service.

SUBTOTAL Function: Calculates the total value of a filtered list in Excel

SUBTOTAL Function: Calculates the total value of a filtered list in Excel

The sum function when filtering data is very important for Microsoft Excel users. This article will summarize for you how to filter and calculate sum in Excel using Subtotal.

How to Export Airtable to Excel and Google Sheets

How to Export Airtable to Excel and Google Sheets

Airtable lets you create and share relational databases easily. Export your Airtable data to Google Sheets or Excel to enjoy the benefits of advanced charts and data visualization.

Effective ways to use ChatGPT in Excel

Effective ways to use ChatGPT in Excel

Curious about how ChatGPT can enhance your Excel experience? Here are some tips for using ChatGPT in Excel.

How to use the WORKDAY function in Microsoft Excel

How to use the WORKDAY function in Microsoft Excel

In Microsoft Excel, the WORKDAY function is a date and time function and its purpose is to return the date before and after the specified number of working days. Working days do not include weekends or any days defined as holidays.

Why are so many people stopping using Google Sheets and going back to Excel?

Why are so many people stopping using Google Sheets and going back to Excel?

For a while, Google Sheets lured people away from Excel. But many people came back after realizing that Google Sheets is far from beating Excel.

How to use the TREND function in Excel

How to use the TREND function in Excel

You can calculate and visualize trends in Excel using the TREND function. Here's how to use the TREND function in Microsoft Excel.

How to enable and disable macros on Excel

How to enable and disable macros on Excel

The following article will guide readers how to enable and disable macros in Excel 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016.

How to fix the error of printing blank pages in Microsoft Excel

How to fix the error of printing blank pages in Microsoft Excel

How to fix the error of printing blank pages in Microsoft Excel. Why do some Excel documents not display data or contain blank pages when printed? Below are the reasons

How to pin Word, Excel and PowerPoint files to the corresponding app icon on the Windows 11 taskbar

How to pin Word, Excel and PowerPoint files to the corresponding app icon on the Windows 11 taskbar

How to pin Word, Excel and PowerPoint files to the corresponding app icon on the Windows 11 taskbar, How to pin Office files to the taskbar icon on Windows 11? Invite

How to gain muscle according to experts

How to gain muscle according to experts

Building muscle takes time and the right training, but its something anyone can do. Heres how to build muscle, according to experts.

The Best Diets for Heart Health

The Best Diets for Heart Health

In addition to regular exercise and not smoking, diet is one of the best ways to protect your heart. Here are the best diets for heart health.

How to cure insomnia for pregnant women in the last 3 months

How to cure insomnia for pregnant women in the last 3 months

The third trimester is often the most difficult time to sleep during pregnancy. Here are some ways to treat insomnia in the third trimester.

Scientifically Proven Ways to Automatically Burn Calories

Scientifically Proven Ways to Automatically Burn Calories

There are many ways to lose weight without changing anything in your diet. Here are some scientifically proven automatic weight loss or calorie-burning methods that anyone can use.

All about iOS 26

All about iOS 26

Apple has introduced iOS 26 – a major update with a brand new frosted glass design, smarter experiences, and improvements to familiar apps.

Yoga exercises to treat insomnia

Yoga exercises to treat insomnia

Yoga can provide many health benefits, including better sleep. Because yoga can be relaxing and restorative, its a great way to beat insomnia after a busy day.

What is the flower of the other shore? Meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore

What is the flower of the other shore? Meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore

The flower of the other shore is a unique flower, carrying many unique meanings. So what is the flower of the other shore, is the flower of the other shore real, what is the meaning and legend of the flower of the other shore?

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Healthy snacks that help you lose weight

Craving for snacks but afraid of gaining weight? Dont worry, lets explore together many types of weight loss snacks that are high in fiber, low in calories without making you try to starve yourself.

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

What to do when you have trouble sleeping?

Prioritizing a consistent sleep schedule and evening routine can help improve the quality of your sleep. Heres what you need to know to stop tossing and turning at night.

How to add a printer to Windows 10

How to add a printer to Windows 10

Adding a printer to Windows 10 is simple, although the process for wired devices will be different than for wireless devices.

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

The most commonly deficient nutrients in the diet

Diet is important to our health. Yet most of our meals are lacking in these six important nutrients.

How to get beautiful nails quickly

How to get beautiful nails quickly

You want to have a beautiful, shiny, healthy nail quickly. The simple tips for beautiful nails below will be useful for you.

The best laptops for students in 2025

The best laptops for students in 2025

Students need a specific type of laptop for their studies. It should not only be powerful enough to perform well in their chosen major, but also compact and light enough to carry around all day.

Ways to reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus

Ways to reduce the risk of birth defects in the fetus

Birth defects are something no one wants. Although they cannot be completely prevented, you can take the following steps to reduce the risk of birth defects in your baby.

How to check RAM and check RAM errors on your computer with the highest accuracy rate

How to check RAM and check RAM errors on your computer with the highest accuracy rate

As you know, RAM is a very important hardware part in a computer, acting as memory to process data and is the factor that determines the speed of a laptop or PC. In the article below, WebTech360 will introduce you to some ways to check for RAM errors using software on Windows.