Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Determining an Integer Value.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 9, 2024)
This tip applies to Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
VBA, true to its BASIC roots, provides a function to return the integer value of an expression. This means that anything to the right of the decimal point is truncated. Thus, if a formula would normally result in a value such as 18.73, then the integer value of that formula would result in 18.
The syntax for the integer function is as follows:
x = Int(y)
where x is the result and y is a value or an expression that evaluates to a value.
Note:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (9931) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Determining an Integer Value.
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2024-07-10 08:09:02
Alex Blakenburg
@Kiwerry - in replying I nearly fell for the same trap you did. The tip was a "VBA" tip and in VBA the function is indeed "Fix" ie x = Fix(y)
Ref: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/language/reference/user-interface-help/int-fix-functions
"The difference between Int and Fix is that if number is negative, Int returns the first negative integer less than or equal to number, whereas Fix returns the first negative integer greater than or equal to number. For example, Int converts -8.4 to -9, and Fix converts -8.4 to -8."
In Excel itself = INT(A1) is the same as VBA int but to remove the decimals from both positive and negative numbers you would use =TRUNC(A1) or =ROUNDDOWN(A1,0). Coincidentally fielded a question on this on the Mr Excel Forum just today.
2024-07-09 08:11:56
Kiwerry
Thanks for pointing that out, Alex.
It seems you meant "...the first integer less than..." rather than "...the first negative integer less than..."
The function you refer to as Fix is FIXED.
Can't read something without looking for "typos" after years of teaching...
2020-07-25 10:14:17
Alex B
The above only covers positive numbers. In the case of negative numbers it does not “truncate” the decimal point, it returns the first negative integer less than or equal to the number.
So while (positive) 18.73 returns 18
(negative) -18.73 returns -19
If you really want both to truncate the decimal, use the Fix function.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here:
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