How TRUNC works in Excel? Best TRUNC examples

How TRUNC works in Excel? Best TRUNC examples

When dealing with numbers in Excel, sometimes you don’t want to round them—just get rid of the decimal part. That’s where Excel’s TRUNC function comes in handy. If you’re wondering how TRUNC works in Excel and looking for the best TRUNC examples, you’re in the right place.

What Is the TRUNC Function?

The TRUNC function in Excel removes the fractional part of a number without rounding it. This means that it simply cuts off everything after the decimal point.

TRUNC Function Syntax

TRUNC(number, [num_digits])

Let’s break down its arguments:

  • number – The numeric value you want to truncate.
  • num_digits (optional) – The number of decimal places to keep. If omitted, it defaults to 0, meaning it removes all decimal places.

Basic TRUNC Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate how TRUNC works:

Formula Result Explanation
=TRUNC(5.89) 5 Removes the decimal part, keeping only the integer.
=TRUNC(-7.25) -7 Same behavior applies to negative numbers.
=TRUNC(3.14159, 2) 3.14 Keeps two decimal places without rounding.

How TRUNC Differs from INT

Some people confuse TRUNC with the INT function, as both deal with removing the decimal part. However, there’s a critical difference:

  • TRUNC removes the decimal part but doesn’t round.
  • INT rounds a number down to the nearest integer.

Consider this example:

=TRUNC(-5.99)   → -5
=INT(-5.99)     → -6

Notice the difference? INT rounds down to -6, while TRUNC just removes the decimal, leaving -5.

Using TRUNC in Real-Life Scenarios

TRUNC is particularly useful in several situations:

1. Extracting the Integer Part of a Number

If you need to get just the whole number without any decimals, TRUNC is the simplest way.

2. Working with Time Values

Excel stores time as decimal fractions of a day. If you need to strip the time portion from a date-time value:

=TRUNC(A1)

This will remove the time component, leaving only the date.

3. Limiting Decimal Places Without Rounding

Unlike ROUND, which modifies values based on rounding rules, TRUNC simply cuts off excess decimal places.

Potential Pitfalls and Things to Keep in Mind

  • TRUNC does not round numbers—it merely removes decimals.
  • For negative numbers, TRUNC doesn’t round down; it just ignores decimals.
  • If you need true rounding, use ROUND instead.

TRUNC vs. Other Similar Functions

Let’s compare TRUNC to other similar functions:

Function Behavior Example (-5.99)
TRUNC Removes decimals without rounding. -5
INT Rounds down to the nearest integer. -6
ROUND Rounds based on standard rounding rules. -6
FLOOR Rounds down to a specified multiple. -6 (if multiple is 1)

Final Thoughts

The TRUNC function in Excel is simple but powerful when you need to strip away decimals without rounding. Whether you’re working with financial data, timestamps, or just extracting whole numbers, knowing how TRUNC works in Excel can save you a lot of time.

 

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How INT works in Excel? Best INT examples