Thursday, August 11, 2016

How to use the ROUND Function (VBA)

Description

The Microsoft Excel ROUND function returns a number rounded to a specified number of digits. Please note that the WS version of the ROUND function has different syntax.

Syntax

The syntax for the ROUND function in Microsoft Excel is:
Round ( expression, [decimal_places] )

Parameters or Arguments

expression
A numeric expression that is to be rounded.
decimal_places
Optional. It is the number of decimal places to round the expression to. If this parameter is omitted, then the ROUND function will return an integer.

Applies To

  • Excel 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2011 for Mac, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Excel XP, Excel 2000

Type of Function

  • VBA function (VBA)

Example (as VBA Function)

In Excel's VBA environment, the ROUND function returns a number rounded to a specified number of decimal places. However, the ROUND function behaves a little peculiar, so before using this function, please read the following:
The ROUND function utilizes round-to-even logic. If the expression that you are rounding ends with a 5, the ROUND function will round the expression so that the last digit is an even number. For example:
Round(12.55, 1)
Result: 12.6   (rounds up)

Round(12.65, 1)
Result: 12.6   (rounds down)

Round(12.75, 1)
Result: 12.8   (rounds up)
In these cases, the last digit after rounding is always an even number. So, be sure to only use the ROUND function if this is your desired result.
The ROUND function can be used in VBA code in Microsoft Excel. Here are some examples of what the ROUND function would return:
Round(210.67, 1)
Result: 210.7

Round(210.67, 0)
Result: 211

Round(210.67)
Result: 211
For example:
Dim LNumber As Double

LNumber = Round(210.67, 1)
In this example, the variable called LNumber would now contain the value of 210.7.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: I read your explanation of how the ROUND function works in VBA using the round-to-even logic. However, I really need to round some values in the traditional sense (where 5 always rounds up). How can I do this?
Answer: You could always use the following logic:
If you wanted to round 12.65 to 1 decimal place in the traditional sense (where 12.65 rounded to 1 decimal place is 12.7, instead of 12.6), try adding 0.000001 to your number before applying the ROUND function:
Round(12.45+0.000001,1)
By adding the 0.000001, the expression that you are rounding will end in 1, instead of 5...causing the ROUND function to round in the traditional way.
And the 0.000001 does not significantly affect the value of your expression so you shouldn't introduce any calculation errors.