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FIXED Function in Excel

Formats a number as text with a fixed number of decimals.

Syntax

  • =FIXED(number, [decimals], [no_commas])

Arguments

  • number (required): Number to format
  • decimals (optional): Number of decimal places (default 2)
  • no_commas (optional): TRUE to omit commas

Examples

  • =FIXED(1234.567, 2) - Format with 2 decimals - Result: 1,234.57
  • =FIXED(1234.567, 2, TRUE) - No commas - Result: 1234.57

Excel FIXED function documentation

  • FIXED formats a number as text with fixed decimal places.
  • Syntax: =FIXED(number, [decimals], [no_commas]). Returns text not number.
  • Use in labels, invoices, and concatenated sentences with consistent decimals.
  • Related: [TEXT](/functions/text/), [DOLLAR](/functions/dollar/), [ROUND](/functions/round/).

FIXED syntax and text output

  • number: value to format.
  • decimals default 2; no_commas TRUE removes thousands separators.
  • Result is text — do not SUM FIXED cells without VALUE.
  • Locale affects separator display in some Excel versions.

Step-by-step: invoice line description

  • Step 1 — Amount in B2.
  • Step 2 — ="Total due: $"&FIXED(B2,2) for label string.
  • Step 3 — Or =CONCAT("Qty ", qty, " @ ", FIXED(price,2)).
  • Step 4 — Keep numeric column for math; FIXED column for print area.
  • Step 5 — Compare TEXT(B2,"0.00") for format code flexibility.

FIXED vs TEXT vs DOLLAR

  • FIXED — decimal places + optional comma control.
  • TEXT — full custom format codes.
  • DOLLAR — currency style text.
  • Category: [Text functions](/categories/text/).

Worked examples to copy

  • Two decimals: =FIXED(1234.567, 2).
  • No commas: =FIXED(1234567, 0, TRUE).
  • In sentence: ="Rate "&FIXED(rate,4).
  • Back to number: =VALUE(FIXED(A2,2)) if needed.

People also ask

  • FIXED returns text? — Yes; math needs VALUE.
  • FIXED vs ROUND? — ROUND stays numeric.
  • FIXED locale? — Separator behavior follows regional settings.
  • FIXED in mail merge? — Common for consistent decimal strings.

Common errors

  • Returns text, not a number

Use cases

  • Display formatting
  • Report generation
  • Text concatenation

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the difference between FIXED and ROUND? ROUND returns a number, FIXED returns text. ROUND(1234.567, 2) = 1234.57 (number). FIXED(1234.567, 2) = "1,234.57" (text with formatting). Use ROUND for calculations, FIXED for display.
  • How do I use FIXED for currency without the dollar sign? FIXED formats with commas and decimals but no currency symbol: =FIXED(1234.56, 2) returns "1,234.56". To add currency: ="$"&FIXED(A1, 2). Or use TEXT(A1, "$#,##0.00") for more control.
  • Can FIXED round to the left of the decimal point? Yes, use negative decimals: =FIXED(1234.567, -2) returns "1,200" (rounded to hundreds). This works like ROUND with negative decimal places but returns formatted text.

Editorial review

  • Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.

When to use FIXED

  • Display formatting — common Text scenario for FIXED.
  • Report generation — common Text scenario for FIXED.
  • Text concatenation — common Text scenario for FIXED.

FIXED in the Text category

  • Browse all Text functions at /categories/text/ for related formulas.
  • FIXED syntax: =FIXED(number, [decimals], [no_commas])
  • number (required): Number to format
  • decimals (optional): Number of decimal places (default 2)
  • no_commas (optional): TRUE to omit commas
  • Confirm FIXED arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.

Formula checklist before you copy down

  • Confirm FIXED arguments match the syntax shown above before filling down.
  • Lock table and range references with $ when copying formulas across rows or sheets.
  • If results look wrong, check for text stored as numbers and invisible spaces with TRIM.
  • Spot-check three known input rows manually against expected output.

Related Excel functions

  • TEXT (/functions/text-function/): Converts a value to text in a specified number format.
  • ROUND (/functions/round/): Rounds a number to a specified number of digits.
  • VALUE (/functions/value/): Converts a text string that represents a number to a number.

Errors to watch for

  • Returns text, not a number — review causes on linked error pages in the directory.

Copy-paste audit workflow

  • Enter FIXED on three test rows with known expected output documented on a QA tab.
  • Fill down only after absolute references are locked on lookup tables and rate tables.
  • Compare against manual calculation or a calculator for financial and statistical functions.
  • Search this directory for comparison guides when choosing between similar functions in the same category.

FIXED worked examples to copy

  • =FIXED(1234.567, 2) — Format with 2 decimals. Expected result: 1,234.57.
  • =FIXED(1234.567, 2, TRUE) — No commas. Expected result: 1234.57.

FIXED reference summary for crawlers and offline review

  • FIXED belongs to the Text category in Excel. Formats a number as text with a fixed number of decimals.
  • Full syntax: =FIXED(number, [decimals], [no_commas]). Open /functions/fixed/ for parameters, FAQs, and related pages.
  • Common mistakes: Returns text, not a number
  • Pair this function with comparison guides when another Excel formula might fit the same task better.
  • Review fix-excel-formula-errors when unexpected errors appear after upgrading Excel or sharing across locales.