How to Use INT Formula in Excel

If you work with numbers in Excel, you may have come across decimal values that you need to convert to whole numbers. In such cases, using the INT formula can be particularly useful. By applying the INT formula, you can truncate a decimal number down to its nearest whole number value, which can simplify calculations or clear up any confusion caused by working with decimal values. In this blog post, we’ll explore what the INT formula is, how to use it, and some practical examples to help you get started.

What is the INT formula?

The INT formula in Excel is used to convert decimal numbers to whole numbers by rounding down to the nearest integer. The formula takes one argument, which is the decimal value you want to convert into a whole number. When applying the INT formula, Excel removes any trailing numbers after the decimal point, which effectively rounds the number down to the nearest integer.

How to use the INT formula in Excel

Using the INT formula in your Excel spreadsheet is simple. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Select a cell where you want to display the whole number result

Choose a cell where you want to view your whole number result after applying the INT formula.

Step 2: Enter the INT formula

In the selected cell, type =INT( in the formula bar and then add the decimal value that you want to round down. For example, if you want to round down to the nearest whole number value for the decimal value in cell A1, the formula will be =INT(A1).

Step 3: Press enter

Press enter, and Excel will display the rounded-down whole number result in the selected cell.

Example: How to use the INT formula in Excel

Let’s say you’re managing a sales team, and you need to calculate their monthly bonuses based on the total sales they generated. You have a spreadsheet that shows each salesperson’s total sales, including the decimal values. To calculate the bonuses, you need to convert the decimal values into whole numbers.

Step 1: Select a cell where you want to display the whole number result

Choose a cell where you want to view the bonus result after applying the INT formula.

Step 2: Enter the INT formula

In the selected cell, type =INT( in the formula bar and add the cell reference for the total sales value that you want to convert into a whole number. For example, if you want to convert the total sales value in cell A1 to a whole number, the formula will be =INT(A1).

Step 3: Press enter

Press enter, and Excel will display the rounded-down whole number bonus result in the selected cell.

Using INT formula with other functions

The INT formula can be used in combination with other Excel functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, and MAX/MIN. By using the INT formula in these functions, you can round down decimal numbers to the nearest integer and perform calculations with whole numbers.

Example: Using the INT formula with SUM function

Let’s say you have a list of sales for the year, including decimal values. You want to calculate the total sales for the year, but you only want to include whole number values. Here’s how to use the INT formula with the SUM function:

1. Select a cell where you want to display the total sales result
2. Enter the formula =SUM(INT(A1:A12)) in the selected cell, where A1:A12 is the range of cells that contain the sales values you want to include in the calculation
3. Press enter, and Excel will display the rounded-down whole number total sales result in the selected cell

Example: Using the INT formula with MAX function

Let’s say you have a list of product sales, including decimal values. You want to find the highest whole number value in the list. Here’s how to use the INT formula with the MAX function:

1. Select a cell where you want to display the highest whole number result
2. Enter the formula =MAX(INT(A1:A12)) in the selected cell, where A1:A12 is the range of cells that contain the sales values you want to include in the calculation
3. Press enter, and Excel will display the rounded-down highest whole number result in the selected cell

Using the ROUNDUP function to round up decimal numbers

The INT formula rounds down decimal numbers to the nearest whole number by default. If you need to round up decimal numbers, you can use the ROUNDUP function. The ROUNDUP function takes two arguments – the number you want to round up and the number of digits to which you want to round up. Here’s an example:

1. Select a cell where you want to display the rounded-up result
2. Enter the formula =ROUNDUP(A1,0) in the selected cell, where A1 is the decimal number you want to round up
3. Press enter, and Excel will display the rounded-up whole number result in the selected cell

Final Thoughts

The INT formula is an essential feature in Excel that can help you simplify calculations, and avoid confusion when working with decimal numbers. Knowing how to use the INT formula can save you time and effort and improve your efficiency while using Excel. With the examples and instructions provided in this blog post, you should be able to use the INT formula easily and confidently in your work.

FAQs about using INT Formula in Excel

Here are some of the frequently asked questions about using the INT formula in Excel:

Q: Can you use the INT formula to round up decimal numbers?

No, the INT formula rounds down decimal numbers to the nearest whole number. To round up decimal numbers, you can use the ROUNDUP function in Excel.

Q: Can the INT formula be used with negative numbers?

Yes, the INT formula can be used with negative numbers. The formula rounds down negative decimal numbers to the nearest whole number. For example, the INT formula applied on the number -2.5 gives -3.

Q: Can you use the INT formula to convert text to whole numbers?

No, the INT formula only works with numeric values. If you try to apply it to a cell containing text, you’ll get a #VALUE error.

Q: Can you use the INT formula with date and time values?

No, the INT formula works with decimal numbers only. If you need to work with date and time values, you will need to use other Excel functions such as DATEVALUE or TIMEVALUE for conversion.

Q: Can you use the INT formula to remove decimals from a range of cells?

Yes, you can use the INT formula to remove decimals from a range of cells. Simply apply the formula to the first cell in the range and then use the fill handle to drag the formula down to the end of the range.