Problem understanding display of large numbers in excel

Question

Problem understanding display of large numbers in excel

PETER VROOMEN 20

Hi All.

Probably a very 'novice' question this, but can't find the solution (if there is one).

I need to work with numbers of 16 digits, which are really only reference numbers (think of invoice numbers, etc.)

Although I can enter the numbers, once displayed found that (by design?) the number following the 15th digit (i.e. the 16th digit) is rounded to zero.

The cells are formatted as Text as suggested by the help function text, but although I enter a value of e.g. 1266799219426011 it is invariably changed to 1266799219426010 upon enter.

Can't find an explanation nor how to deal with/prevent this.

Thanks for your valuable insights

Peter

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Answer accepted by question author

riny 21,520 Volunteer Moderator

@PETER VROOMEN

Just enter an apostrophe in front of the 16 digit number.

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or format the cell that will contain the 16 digits as text before entering them.

PETER VROOMEN 20 Reputation points

2026-06-27T12:54:47.04+00:00

@Riny,

Thanks for explanation(s).

I would have thought that formatting as Text would have worked, but I never thought it would make a difference if that formatting is done before or after the cell has already data in it. (My experience so far was the it 'converts' the content to the new format when initially entered as number. Conversion to text then displays it as: 1,2668E+15

Anyway, apparently it does make a difference..

Thanks again, another tidbit learned. :-)

1 additional answer

Your answer

PETER VROOMEN 20 Reputation points

2026-06-27T12:54:47.04+00:00

@Riny,

Thanks for explanation(s).

I would have thought that formatting as Text would have worked, but I never thought it would make a difference if that formatting is done before or after the cell has already data in it. (My experience so far was the it 'converts' the content to the new format when initially entered as number. Conversion to text then displays it as: 1,2668E+15

Anyway, apparently it does make a difference..

Thanks again, another tidbit learned. :-)

Answer 1

Igor Leyko 112.4K Independent Advisor

Unfortunately, Excel limits precision to 15 digits, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/excel/change-formula-recalculation-iteration-or-precision-in-excel

So, there is no way to keep 16 digits in a single cell. You may try to use xNumbers add-on if it will work in your Excel.

PETER VROOMEN 20 Reputation points

2026-06-27T12:58:43.57+00:00

Tanks Igor, I had already found that explanation in the online help section, that unfortunately seems to be no longer accessible directly from within the product. You're now send off to the internet (communication?) website.

But thanks for taking the time to respond.