Excel - CEILING Function



CEILING Function

The Excel CEILING function is powerful enough to round up large numbers for better clarity. It retrieves a numeric value rounded upward, to the closest multiple of the second argument named Significance and far from number 0.

If you are handling millions of data in MS Excel and evaluating large complicated mathematical equations giving lengthy numeric values, then it is crucial and difficult to generalize without using the CEILING function.

The new function CEILING.MATH was exclusive in Excel 2013 to replace the CEILING function. Another function like FLOOR.MATH and INT are employed to round down to the closest numeric value.

Compatibility

This advanced Excel function is compatible with the following versions of MS-Excel −

  • Excel for Microsoft 365
  • Excel for Microsoft 365 for Mac
  • Excel for the web
  • Excel 2021
  • Excel 2021 for Mac
  • Excel 2019
  • Excel 2019 for Mac
  • Excel 2016
  • Excel 2013
  • Excel 2007
  • Excel 2010

Syntax

The syntax of CEILING function is as follows −

CEILING (number, significance)

Arguments

You can use the following arguments with the CEILING function −

Argument Description Required / Optional
Number The first argument specifies a numeric value to round. Required
Significance It denotes the multiple which is used to round the numeric value. Required

Points to Remember

  • When a numeric value is changed away from zero, it is rounded up despite the integer polarity. There is no rounding if the resulting value is a precise multiplication of the significance.
  • Suppose the numeric value and significance are negative, the resulting value will round far from zero.
  • If the specified data is non-positive, and the significance is non-negative, the resulting value will round upward close to zero.
  • If any of the parameters inside the Ceiling function are non-numeric, then this function will retrieve the error named #VALUE!.
  • If the second argument 'Significance' is zero, this function will retrieve zero.

Examples of CEILING Function

Practice the following examples to learn the use of the CEILING function in Excel.

Example 1

When a numeric value is changed away from zero, it is rounded up despite the integer polarity. There is no rounding if the resulting value is a precise multiplication of the significance.

Solution

Enter the formula =CEILING(B4,1) in the C4 cell and press the Enter tab.

Excel Ceiling Function 1

Therefore, the resulting value is 3.

Excel Ceiling Function 2

In the C5 cell, you can enter the formula =CEILING(B5,2) . Here, the first argument specifies that cell reference B5 contains 14, and the significance is 2 which is an exact multiple of 14. Therefore, the numeric value will remain the same.

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Example 2

In case the numeric value and significance are negative, the resulting value will round down far from zero.

Solution

You may enter the expression "=CEILING(B6,-2)" and press the Enter tab. In this expression, both arguments are negative.

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Example 3

If the specified data is non-positive, and the significance is non-negative, the resulting value will round upward close to zero.

Solution

Write the formula "=CEILING(B7, 3)" in the C7 cell and press Enter tab. The first argument cell reference B7 inside this function points to the negative value.

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Example 4

If any of the parameters inside the Ceiling function are non-numeric, then this function will retrieve the error named #VALUE!.

Solution

First, enter the formula "=CEILING(B8,2)" in the C8 cell and press Enter to get the result.

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Example 5

If the second argument, 'Significance', is zero, this function will retrieve zero.

Solution

You can modify the formula in the C5 cell by rewriting the expression "=CEILING(B5,0)" and pressing Enter. Here, the second argument value is 0.

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Therefore, the CEILING function will retrieve a zero value in the C5 cell.

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