ROUNDDOWN reduces the absolute magnitude of a number to the specified decimal precision. Unlike conventional rounding, a discarded digit does not cause the retained digits to increase. With a negative input, reducing magnitude means the result moves toward zero, not toward a more-negative number.

Use it when you must deliberately reduce the precision of a calculated number, such as keeping two reported measurement decimals or determining complete physical packaging units. The operation changes the numeric value, not just the visible number of decimal places. For mandatory regulatory or accounting rounding, consult the relevant rule before choosing the function.

The official English Calligra Sheets stable-KF6 function handbook prints:

ROUNDDOWN(value;[digits])

In a cell, add the initial = and use a semicolon between arguments, as shown in =ROUNDDOWN(B2;2). value is the numeric value or cell reference; [digits] is an optional whole-number decimal precision. If omitted or set to 0, the value is reduced to an integer toward zero. The handbook does not publish a numeric precision limit. The function returns a numeric value; spreadsheet formatting can hide or show trailing decimal zeroes.

The documentation does not establish that free-form text, a date formatted as text, or a localized decimal literal will automatically be coerced to a valid numeric input. Enter numbers as numeric cells, and use Insert → Function to inspect the installed application’s argument conventions. Direct KDE ROUNDDOWN reference.

Version / platform: The recorded primary-function registry for the official Calligra 26.08.2 release, published October 8, 2026, includes ROUNDDOWN (not an extra alias), in the shipped math module at the release-pinned registration. KDE’s stable-KF6 handbook documents the formula. This verifies documentation and release-scoped registration, not the function’s first-ever version, availability in a particular Linux distribution build, or successful execution on Windows. KDE’s software page offers Linux installation guidance; platform-specific installations and optional modules still need verification. Release announcement · Calligra Sheets listing · downloads.

Locale: These examples use English function names, a . as the decimal mark in numeric literals, and ; between arguments as in KDE’s English handbook. A translated UI or locale can display numbers and formula separators differently. Enter the five source values as numeric data cells and check the installed Insert → Function dialog instead of assuming Excel’s comma examples paste unchanged. KDE formula-entry help.

Create a fresh sheet with A1 = Item, B1 = Numeric value, and C1 = ROUNDDOWN, two decimals. Enter these values as numbers, not as text (the descriptions belong in column A):

1. Put the labels and input numbers into A1:B6 exactly as shown.
2. In C2, type =ROUNDDOWN(B2;2). The expected displayed numeric result is 12.98.
3. Fill or copy the C2 formula down to C6 so the relative reference B2 becomes B3, B4, B5, and B6 respectively.
4. Compare each calculated value with column C above. The five expected values were checked by an independent decimal model, not by a native Calligra execution. A General number format may not display trailing zeros, which does not change the value.

KDE handbook spot check: =ROUNDDOWN(-1.252;2) has the documented result -1.25, not -1.26. With omitted digits, =ROUNDDOWN(-1.252) has documented result -1. Official examples, ROUNDDOWN.

Scenario: count full cartons without counting a partly filled carton. Put 25 (items received) in E2 and 12 (items per carton) in F2; put the following in G2:

=ROUNDDOWN(E2/F2;0)

The expected result is 2 complete cartons, because 25/12 = 2.0833… and reducing to an integer toward zero keeps only 2. If you need to ship all 25 items, use ROUNDUP instead, which would give 3 cartons. For a returned or negative quantity, explicitly define a separate business rule rather than treating a negative carton count as a real shipment.

A different result from the screen’s formatting. Do not confuse reducing precision with formatting a display to two decimals. A two-decimal number format may show a different result than the stored underlying value. If a tax or currency rule requires a prescribed rounding method, use that documented rule rather than choosing ROUNDDOWN merely to make a total smaller.

An argument separator error. KDE’s English examples use ;, while some imported formulas use ,. Enter a semicolon and confirm the locale using the function picker. An unrecognized expression can produce #VALUE! according to KDE’s formula-entry troubleshooting page, but the exact error code for every wrong argument is not documented here and was not natively tested.

Cells that look numeric but contain text. Check the underlying B column type (and leading spaces, apostrophes, or imported currency symbols). Replace text with valid numeric cells before comparing outputs. This guide does not claim text-to-number conversion rules for ROUNDDOWN.

Missing/incorrect precision. A whole-number precision of 0 (or omission) does not keep two fractional digits. Put 2 in the second argument for a two-decimal result. Do not presume undocumented precision limits or the behaviour of exceptionally large/small floating-point inputs without native tests.

Wrong sign expectations. ROUND chooses the closest value according to its rounding rule; ROUNDDOWN always reduces magnitude. FLOOR rounds toward a smaller numeric value for the plain-integer case: KDE documents FLOOR(-12.5) → -13, while ROUNDDOWN(-1.252) → -1. These are different choices for negative values.

Division by zero in a surrounding expression. The rounding function cannot make a denominator of zero valid, for example in a cartons calculation. Check the divisor first. If a formula gives an error, isolate B2, then try =ROUNDDOWN(B2;2) with a known number, and finally rebuild the complete expression step by step.

A blank result or visually odd symbols. Verify source values and automatic recalculation. KDE says a number not fitting a narrow cell may show symbols with a red arrow; widen the column or change its format. The handbook explains using Tools → Recalculate Sheet/Document if automatic recalculation is off. KDE troubleshooting and recalculation.

Excel uses ROUNDDOWN(number, num_digits) with both arguments required, whereas the Calligra English handbook documents an optional digits argument and uses semicolons. The direction toward zero is consistent for documented examples; avoid assuming all argument-omission rules match between applications. When migrating to LibreOffice Calc or Google Sheets, recheck local argument separators, whether optional arguments are allowed, and the rounding definition for negative inputs, rather than assuming the formulas have the same omissions or all locale settings.

For formal comparisons, consult Microsoft’s reference for the Excel function. These cross-software notes do not establish a native Calligra test or exact behavior on an untested platform.

• IF in Calligra Sheets
• SUMIF in Calligra Sheets — a confirmed existing source path; aggregate conditionally after understanding whether the upstream inputs should be rounded first.
• the guide guides for ROUND, ROUNDDOWN, ROUNDUP, TRUNC, and MOD belong to the editorial review queue; they are not claimed as published internal links. Find the appropriate official cross-reference through the KDE handbook until the site owner approves these pages.

Official references checked 2026-10-11: KDE ROUNDDOWN detailed handbook; KDE formula-entry and error help; KDE Gear 26.08.2 release; pinned math registration. Cross-software Microsoft reference.

• Calligra Sheets — function documentation
• the release-pinned registration
• Release announcement
• KDE formula-entry help

Verification status: Official documentation checked; example outcomes were independently reasoned or arithmetically checked where applicable. Not executed in Calligra Sheets.

• No genuine Calligra Sheets screenshots are included; this guide does not use mock application images.