TRUNC cuts off unwanted decimal places instead of rounding a number to the nearest value. It can keep two decimal places, or, with the precision omitted, retain only the integer part of a numeric value. This changes the calculated value rather than only its display format.

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:

TRUNC(value; precision)

In a cell, add the initial = and use a semicolon between arguments, as shown in =TRUNC(B2;2). value is the numeric input or cell reference. precision is an optional whole-number count of retained decimal places: the KDE handbook prints it in the syntax but explicitly says 0 is assumed when omitted. This is a documented default, not an invented formula option. 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 TRUNC reference.

Version / platform: The recorded primary-function registry for the official Calligra 26.08.2 release, published October 8, 2026, includes TRUNC (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 = TRUNC, 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 =TRUNC(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: For the five-row table, =TRUNC(B4;2) is independently calculated as -8.76; a negative native-runtime check is still pending. KDE’s example confirms =TRUNC(213.232;2) returns 213.23. Official examples, TRUNC.

Scenario: count completed minutes from decimal hours. In E2 enter 2.345 as a plain decimal-hours measurement—not a clock time. In F2 enter:

=TRUNC(E2*60)

The expected output is 140 complete minutes, because 2.345 hours × 60 = 140.7 minutes and the omitted precision defaults to zero. If the system needs to include a partly worked minute, choose a documented ROUNDUP policy instead. Do not apply this conversion to Calligra’s formatted clock-time serials without investigating their units.

A different result from the screen’s formatting. If a fixed two-decimal currency value is required, truncation may introduce a downward bias. Use a policy appropriate for the business calculation and verify exported values separately from what a two-decimal display format shows.

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 TRUNC.

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. For these positive decimal inputs, TRUNC and ROUNDDOWN keep the same two digits; ROUNDUP moves them away from zero. Do not conflate TRUNC with changing Number Format: changing a cell’s displayed decimals can leave the original calculation precision untouched. Excel’s INT is not a reliable synonym for TRUNC on negative numbers.

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 =TRUNC(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’s TRUNC(number,[num_digits]) also allows the second argument to be omitted (default zero). In Calligra, KDE renders TRUNC(value; precision) while expressly allowing omission. The semantics line up in these basic examples, but function separators and locale-dependent numeric literals can differ. 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 TRUNC 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.