Microsoft KB Archive/65903

= Number of significant digits MS Excel retains =

Article ID: 65903

Article Last Modified on 11/16/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Excel X for Mac
 * Microsoft Excel 2004 for Mac
 * Microsoft Excel 2002 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac
 * Microsoft Excel 2000 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Excel 98 for Macintosh
 * Microsoft Excel 97 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q65903





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 numeric characters, with the decimal point counting as a numeric character. Therefore, if the number contains a decimal point, Excel can display up to 10 significant digits, but if the number does not contain a decimal point, Excel can display up to 11 significant digits Adding more numbers to the left of the decimal point causes the number to appear in exponential notation.

Additional query words: xl2000 xl2002 xl2001 XL97 XL98 precision limit limitation truncate

Keywords: kbhowto KB65903

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