Are you tired of Google Sheets rounding up your numbers when you don’t want it to? This quick guide will show you how to get Google Sheets to stop rounding your numbers, so you can display them exactly as you need.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Get Google Sheets to Stop Rounding
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand that Google Sheets automatically rounds numbers based on the cell’s format. By changing the format, you can prevent the rounding from happening.
Step 1: Select the cell or range of cells
Click on the cell or drag over the range of cells that you want to format.
Step 2: Open the ‘Format’ menu
Click on ‘Format’ in the top menu bar, then select ‘Number’.
Step 3: Choose ‘More Formats’
From the drop-down menu, click on ‘More Formats’ and then select ‘Custom number format’.
Step 4: Input the desired format
In the custom number formats box, input the number of decimal places you want by using zeros. For example, “0.000” will show three decimal places without rounding.
Step 5: Apply the format
Click ‘Apply’ to set the new format for the selected cells.
After completing these steps, the selected cells will no longer round numbers, displaying them with the exact number of decimal places you’ve specified.
Tips for Preventing Rounding in Google Sheets
- Always check the cell format if you notice unexpected rounding.
- Use the “Increase decimal places” or “Decrease decimal places” buttons for quick formatting.
- Remember that using more decimal places will increase the precision of your data.
- If you import data, verify that the formatting remains consistent with your preferences.
- Consider using the “TEXT” function for numbers that you never want to be rounded, like serial numbers or IDs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep leading zeros in Google Sheets?
To keep leading zeros, format the cell as ‘Plain text’ or use a custom number format with zeros in the place of where the leading zeros should appear.
Can I stop rounding for currency in Google Sheets?
Yes, you can use a custom currency format and specify the exact number of decimal places you want.
Is there a way to prevent rounding in all new sheets by default?
There’s no default setting to prevent rounding in new sheets, but you can create a template with your preferred formatting to use for new sheets.
Does the custom number format work with formulas?
Yes, the custom number format will display the result of formulas without rounding, based on the format you set.
Can I use custom number formatting for percentages?
Yes, you can set a custom format for percentages just like you would for other numbers.
Summary
- Select the cell(s)
- Open ‘Format’ menu
- Choose ‘More Formats’
- Input custom format
- Apply the format
Conclusion
Google Sheets is a powerful tool, but sometimes its automatic functions, like rounding, can be more of a nuisance than a help. By following the steps outlined above, you can take control of how your numbers are displayed, ensuring that your data is presented exactly as you need it. Whether you’re working with financial figures, scientific data, or any other numbers where precision is key, knowing how to get Google Sheets to stop rounding is an invaluable skill. So next time you find your numbers being rounded off, remember these steps and tips to maintain the integrity of your data. Keep experimenting with different formats and functions to get the most out of Google Sheets for all your data management needs.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.