If I hide decimal places in Excel, will calculations such as totals change too?

No. Reducing decimal places or setting the cell format to 0 decimal places may change only the display, while the actual values remain unchanged. To make totals and averages integers too, convert the values with ROUND/TRUNC/INT and then use Paste Values.

How can I prevent decimals from appearing when saving to CSV?

Because CSV usually exports values rather than display formatting, decimals can reappear if you change only the format. Convert to integers with ROUND/TRUNC, copy, use Paste Values, and then save as CSV.

Which function should I use to always truncate instead of round?

Use TRUNC. For example: =TRUNC(A2,0). It removes the decimal portion. For negative values, the result can differ from INT, so check the difference between TRUNC and INT if your data includes negative numbers.

What is the difference between INT and TRUNC, especially for negative numbers?

TRUNC removes the decimal portion, truncating toward zero, while INT always rounds down to a lower integer. For example, -12.9 becomes -12 with TRUNC and -13 with INT.

Should I turn on the “Set precision as displayed” option?

It is not recommended. This option can permanently change stored values based on the displayed decimal places, making them difficult to restore. Back up your file first, and use it only in special cases where calculations must use the displayed values.

CONTENTS

Remove Decimals in Excel: Display Only or Change Values? 7 Practical Methods

Removing decimals in Excel is completely different depending on whether you only hide them (formatting) or change the actual values to integers (rounding/truncating/rounding down). This guide covers reports, CSV exports, PivotTables, charts, and Power Query so decimals do not reappear in your workflow.

Quick Fix — Finish in 30 Seconds

It is OK if decimals are hidden only on screen → Home tab > Number group > Decrease Decimal
Totals, averages, and CSV exports must also be integers → Use =ROUND(A2,0), then Paste Values
Always truncate without rounding → =TRUNC(A2,0)
Calculate as displayed (last resort) → File > Options > Advanced > “Set precision as displayed” (use caution)

“Hide Decimals Only” vs. “Remove Decimals from Values”

Hide decimals only (formatting): Values appear as integers, but the underlying values remain unchanged, so decimals may reappear in totals or CSV exports.
Remove decimals from values (functions/conversion): The actual numbers become integers, making them safer for reconciliation and uploads.

Method 1) Hide Decimal Display Only with a Button or Keyboard Shortcut

Path: Home tab > Number group > Decrease Decimal

(Windows keyboard) Repeat Alt → H → 9 to decrease decimal places or Alt → H → 0 to increase decimal places.

Method 2) Set Decimal Places to 0 in Format Cells

Select the range.
Press Ctrl + 1 (Format Cells).
Select the Number tab > Category: Number.
Set Decimal places: 0.

Custom format examples: #,##0; negative numbers in parentheses: #,##0;(#,##0)

Method 3) Use ROUND to Change Values to Integers

ROUND is the standard choice when you need a rounding rule for reconciliations or reports.

=ROUND(A2,0)

Item	Original Value	Recommended Formula	Result
Sales	1234.56	`=ROUND(A2,0)`	1235
Refund (negative)	-1234.56	`=ROUND(A3,0)`	-1235

Method 4) Use TRUNC/INT Correctly for Truncation or Rounding Down

TRUNC: Removes the decimal portion (truncates) → =TRUNC(A2,0)
INT: Rounds down to the next lower integer → =INT(A2)

Original Value	TRUNC(0)	INT	Meaning
12.9	12	12	Both are the same.
-12.9	-12	-13	TRUNC truncates; INT rounds down (more negative).

Method 5) Convert Results to Values (Paste Values)

Select the range containing the ROUND/TRUNC results.
Copy with Ctrl + C.
Right-click > Paste Special > Values.

Converting formulas to values is the safest option before saving, sharing, uploading, or exporting to CSV.

Method 6) Remove Decimals Only in a PivotTable or Chart

PivotTable: Right-click a value field > Value Field Settings > Number Format > 0 decimal places
Chart: Right-click the axis (or labels) > Format > Number > 0 decimal places

Method 7) Remove Decimals in Power Query (Best for Preventing Recurrence)

Data tab > From Table/Range (or Get Data)
Select the column in the editor.
Apply Round or Truncate from Transform.
Close & Load.

Troubleshooting

Issue	Cause	Solution
Decimals are hidden, but the total is incorrect.	Only the format has been set to 0 decimal places; values remain unchanged.	Convert the values with ROUND/TRUNC/INT, then Paste Values.
Decimals reappear when saving as CSV.	CSV uses values rather than display formatting.	Convert values → Paste Values → save as CSV.
Truncation results differ for negative values.	INT rounds down to a lower integer (more negative).	Use TRUNC for truncation and INT for rounding down.

Remove Decimals in Excel: Display Only or Change Values? 7 Methods