XL: Number of Significant Digits MS Excel Retains

 Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
Article ID: Q65903

The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows, versions 2.x, 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 5.0, 5.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for OS/2 versions 2.2, 2.21, 3.0
  • Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh, versions 5.0, 5.0a
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

Microsoft Excel retains 15 significant digits. To display all 15 digits, you must use a number format (custom or built-in) other than General. The General number format displays up to 11 digits, with the decimal point counting as a digit. Adding more numbers to the right of the decimal point results in a truncation of those numbers. Adding more numbers to the left of the decimal point causes the number to appear in exponential notation.

Additional query words: 5.00 5.00c 2.0 2.00 2.01 2.1 2.10 2.2 2.20 2.21
3.0 3.00 4.0 4.00 7.00 97 XL97 98 XL98 precision limit limitation truncate
Version : WINDOWS:2.0,3.0,4.0,4.0a,5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a,98
Platform : MACINTOSH OS/2 WINDOWS
Issue type : kbinfo

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Last reviewed: February 2, 1998
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