Excel: INT() and TRUNC() Work Differently on Negative Numbers

Last reviewed: November 29, 1994
Article ID: Q50993
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, version 3.0, 4.0

SUMMARY

The two functions TRUNC() and INT() are similar, but return slightly different results for negative numbers. The INT() function rounds a number down to the previous integer. The TRUNC() function simply truncates the decimal portion of a number.

A comparison is described in the chart below.

       Number      INT()     TRUNC()
       ------      -----     -------
        1.5          1          1
        1            1          1
       -1.5         -2         -1
       -1           -1         -1


KBCategory: kbother
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 1.0 1.00 1.03 1.04 1.06 1.5 1.50 2.0 2.00
2.01 2.1 2.10 2.2 2.20 3.0 3.00 4.0 4.00


KBCategory: kbother
KBSubcategory:

Additional reference words: 1.x 2.x 3.00 4.00 | 2.x 3.00 4.00 4.00a.


THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: November 29, 1994
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.