This function rounds a number down to the nearest integer (toward negative infinity).
Syntax
INT(number)
Argument
- number (required) – Any real number to be rounded
Key Behavior:
- Positive numbers: Removes decimal portion (truncates)
- =INT(3.7) → 3
- Negative numbers: Rounds to next lower integer
- =INT(-2.3) → -3
- Whole numbers: Returns unchanged
- =INT(5) → 5
Comparison with Similar Functions:
| Function | 4.3 | -4.3 | Behavior |
| INT() | 4 | -5 | Toward -∞ |
| TRUNC() | 4 | -4 | Toward zero |
| ROUNDDOWN() | 4 | -4 | Toward zero |
| FLOOR() | 4 | -5 | Toward -∞ (with significance=1) |
Examples:
- Tax Calculation (Conservative rounding):
=INT(12.78) → 12
- Special Cases:
| Formula | Result | Notes |
| =INT(4.3) | 4 | Truncates decimals |
| =INT(-2.51) | -3 | Rounds down |
| =INT(78.8) | 78 | |
| =INT(0.999) | 0 |
Applications:
- Financial reporting (conservative estimates)
- Age calculations (whole years)
- Inventory management (whole units)
- Time tracking (complete hours)
Error Handling:
- Returns #VALUE! for non-numeric inputs
- Handles very large/small numbers within Excel’s limits
Technical Notes:
- Differs from TRUNC() for negative numbers
- Equivalent to FLOOR(number,1) for positive numbers
- For rounding to other multiples, consider FLOOR() or CEILING()