Numbers automatically rounds decimal points

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Numbers automatically rounds decimal points

My concern about the inability of Numbers to leave decimal points un-rounded after 4 (in my case) has nothing to do with calculations for others or even for myself. It seems like a limitation that Apple ought not to impose on people without their permission. I need it for personal record keeping purposes that allows me to compare prices and usage. Why should I be limited in my ability to do my own projects? Who is harmed by that?

I don't remember Excel having the same limitation. It's difficult to go back to Excel because it no longer saves on my Mac, but maybe I can figure something out. Has anyone yet?

iMac 24″, macOS 26.6

Posted on Aug 19, 2026 12:35 PM

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Answer 1

Camelot

Level 9

60,935 points

Aug 19, 2026 1:41 PM in response to Hazel Greenberg

I'm not entirely sure I underhand the issue. I think you need to show an example.

The only thing that comes close, based on what you've said, is the realization that each cell has an intrinsic 'internal' value, and a possibly-different visual.

In general, numbers you enter are stored to 15 significant digits - likely far more than you'd need for 'pricing and usage'.

However, even such a number can be displayed in a different format via cell formatting - for example, the entered value 123.4567890123 maybe displayed as 123.46 if the cell is formatted to two decimal places.

However, even if displayed as 123.46, the internal value will be used for any calculations based on that cell.

Indeed, most people's complaints hinge the other way, where they don't realize Numbers is using the internal, 15 significant digit rather than the displayed (rounded) value, so they wonder why $123.46 x 100 is $12,345.67 and not $12,346

However, maybe I'm wrong about understanding the problem and there's something else amiss. Can you show an example of what's causing you concern?

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