Increase and Decrease Decimal in Excel

Ever noticed your numbers in Excel showing too many or too few decimal places? Don’t worry — adjusting them is super easy. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll learn how to increase and decrease decimals in Excel using simple steps. You’ll also discover how to use a formula to make permanent changes.

What Does Increasing or Decreasing Decimal Mean?

In Excel, “increasing decimal” means showing more digits after the decimal point, while “decreasing decimal” means showing fewer digits. These changes only affect how numbers look — not their actual value.

Example: If your number is 5.6789 and you decrease decimals to 2 places, Excel will display 5.68. The original value is still stored as 5.6789.

Method 1: Using the Ribbon

This is the easiest way to adjust decimal places visually.

  • Step 1: Select the cells that contain the numbers you want to change.
  • Step 2: Go to the Home tab on the ribbon.
  • Step 3: In the Number group, look for the icons with decimal points and arrows.
  • Step 4: Click Increase Decimal (icon with an arrow pointing right) to show more decimal places.
  • Step 5: Click Decrease Decimal (icon with an arrow pointing left) to show fewer decimal places.

Each click adds or removes one decimal place at a time.

💡 Tip: These buttons only change the display format, not the stored number. You can always see the full value in the formula bar.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts

If you love saving time, Excel shortcuts are your best friend.

  • Step 1: Select the cells you want to format.
  • Step 2: Press Alt + H + 0 to increase decimal places.
  • Step 3: Press Alt + H + 9 to decrease decimal places.

These shortcuts are great when working with large sets of numbers.

Method 3: Using the ROUND Function

If you want to permanently round numbers to a fixed number of decimal places (for calculations or reports), use Excel’s ROUND function.

Here’s how:

  • Click on an empty cell where you want the result.
  • Type the formula: =ROUND(number, num_digits).
  • Replace number with your cell reference and num_digits with the number of decimals you want.

Example: =ROUND(A1, 2) will round the number in cell A1 to two decimal places.

Unlike the ribbon or shortcut method, this one changes the actual value.

Important Notes

  • The Increase Decimal and Decrease Decimal buttons only affect how numbers look.
  • Some formats like Date or Fraction may not show decimal changes.
  • Always double-check your data if using the ROUND function — it changes real values.

Why Is This Feature Useful?

Formatting decimals helps make your spreadsheet cleaner and easier to read. If you’re creating a report, it’s best to limit decimals for clarity. On the other hand, scientific or financial data may require more precision.

🔹 Pro Tip: Use consistent decimal places in reports. It looks more professional and easier for others to understand.

5 FAQs on Increasing and Decreasing Decimals in Excel

1. Do increasing or decreasing decimals change the real value?

No. They only change how the number looks. The actual value stays the same in the formula bar.

2. What’s the shortcut to increase decimal places?

Press Alt + H + 0 to increase decimal places quickly.

3. What’s the shortcut to decrease decimal places?

Press Alt + H + 9 to decrease decimal places instantly.

4. Can I round numbers permanently in Excel?

Yes. Use the =ROUND(number, num_digits) formula to round values permanently.

5. Why don’t decimals change for some cells?

Decimal buttons may not work with formats like Date or Fraction. Change the format to Number first.

Conclusion

Increasing or decreasing decimals in Excel is simple once you know where to look. Use the ribbon buttons for a quick visual change, keyboard shortcuts for faster edits, and the ROUND function for permanent rounding. Whether you’re polishing a report or simplifying your data, mastering decimal formatting helps make your spreadsheet look professional and easy to read.

You May Also Like

Loading...