Rounding up numbers in Excel is a straightforward task that can be accomplished using a simple function. If you’re dealing with a long list of numbers and need to round them all up to the nearest whole number, Excel’s ROUNDUP function is your go-to tool. Let me walk you through how to use it.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Round Up in Excel
Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to know that the ROUNDUP function in Excel allows you to round a number up, away from zero, to a specified number of digits. This function is handy when you need to ensure that values are rounded up consistently.
Step 1: Select the cell where you want the rounded number to appear
Click on the cell in your Excel sheet where you want the rounded-up number to be shown. This cell will display the result of the ROUNDUP function.
Step 2: Enter the ROUNDUP function
Type =ROUNDUP( into the selected cell to begin the function. Excel will now be ready to take the number you want to round up and the number of digits you want to round to.
Step 3: Input the number to round up and the number of digits
After the =ROUNDUP(, type in the cell reference of the number you wish to round up, followed by a comma, then the number of digits you want to round to. For whole numbers, use 0 as the number of digits.
Step 4: Close the function and press Enter
To finish, type a closing parenthesis ) and then hit the Enter key. Your rounded-up number will now appear in the cell you selected in step 1.
After completing these steps, the number you wanted to round up will display in the selected cell, rounded to the nearest whole number or to the specified number of digits you chose.
Tips for Rounding Up in Excel
- Remember that rounding up means the number will always go up, so 3.1 would round up to 4.
- Use 0 as the number of digits if you want to round to the nearest whole number.
- You can also use negative numbers for the number of digits to round to the left of the decimal point.
- The ROUNDUP function will not change the actual value of the original cell, just the value displayed in the cell where you entered the function.
- Always double-check the cell references to ensure you’re rounding up the correct number.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between ROUNDUP and ROUND in Excel?
ROUNDUP always rounds numbers up, away from zero, while ROUND can round numbers up or down, depending on the value of the digit following the specified number of digits.
Can I round up to the nearest ten or hundred in Excel?
Yes, you can. Use a negative number for the number of digits: -1 for tens, -2 for hundreds, etc.
Does rounding up in Excel affect the original data?
No, it doesn’t. The ROUNDUP function only changes the displayed value in the cell where you enter the function, not the original data.
Can I round up multiple numbers at once?
Absolutely! You can copy the ROUNDUP function and paste it into multiple cells, or use it in conjunction with other Excel functions for array operations.
Is there a way to round up to the nearest 5 or other specific increment?
Excel doesn’t have a built-in function for this, but you can create a formula using the ROUNDUP function and some arithmetic to achieve this.
Summary
- Select the cell for the result.
- Enter the ROUNDUP function.
- Input the number to round and the number of digits.
- Close the function and press Enter.
Conclusion
Rounding up numbers in Excel is a breeze once you get the hang of it. Whether you’re preparing financial reports, analyzing data, or just organizing your monthly budget, knowing how to round up in Excel is an invaluable skill that can save you time and ensure accuracy in your work. Remember, the ROUNDUP function is there to make your numbers neater and your life easier. With the tips and tricks shared in this article, you should be rounding up like a pro in no time. So go ahead, give it a try, and watch those numbers fall into place perfectly. Happy Excel-ing!
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.