Summary of "Decimal Places How To Round Numbers In Excel"

Main idea

How to round numbers in Excel to a fixed number of decimal places, and how to display the same number of decimal places for every cell (including whole numbers).

Key concepts / lessons

Use the ROUND function to create values rounded to a specified number of decimal places.
Copy the rounding formula down a column using the fill handle.
Displaying a fixed number of decimal places for all cells is a formatting change (so whole numbers will show trailing zeros) and can be done quickly with the Increase/Decrease Decimal buttons on the Home ribbon.
Alternative: use the Number format dialog (Format Cells → Number) to set decimal places.

Step-by-step instructions

Insert a new column for the rounded results.
Enter the ROUND formula:
- Syntax: =ROUND(cell, number_of_decimal_places)
- Example: =ROUND(E2, 2) rounds the value in E2 to two decimal places (e.g., 67.333 → 67.33).
- To change precision, replace the second argument (for example 3 for three decimals, 1 for one).
Copy the formula down:
- Use the fill handle (the small square at the bottom-right of the cell) and drag down to apply the same ROUND formula to other rows.
If you want every cell to visibly show the same number of decimal places (including whole numbers):
- Select the cells.
- On the Home tab, in the Number group, use the Increase Decimal and Decrease Decimal buttons to set the displayed number of decimal places.
  
  Tip: Click Increase once then Decrease to get back to the desired display while forcing trailing zeros where needed.
Alternate formatting method:
- Select cells → Right-click → Format Cells → Number tab → choose Number and set Decimal places.

Notes / clarifications

ROUND actually changes the numeric result stored in the cells (it returns a rounded value). The Increase/Decrease Decimal buttons only change how the numbers are displayed (formatting), not their underlying stored value.
Whole numbers remain integers after rounding, but formatting can make them appear with trailing zeros (for example, 67 can be formatted to display 67.00).