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FLOOR Function (OpenOffice Calc)

Math Beginner OpenOffice Calc Introduction not established

The FLOOR function in OpenOffice Calc rounds a number down to the nearest multiple of a specified significance. Learn syntax, examples, rounding rules, common errors, and best practices.

Verification status: Consult the documentation, examples and any stated test scope below. How formula examples are checked

Availability and version history

  • Introduced: Documented by Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16; original introduction not established.
  • Availability: Supported in Apache OpenOffice 4.1.16, verified against its function registry. This identifies a supported release, not a final working version.
  • Scope: Desktop Calc, using the English function name. Availability in other spreadsheet applications is separate.
  • Checked: 2026-10-14 — function reference; versioned support. Documentation/source check; not a new native test. Existing example-specific test claims below retain their stated scope.

The FLOOR function in OpenOffice Calc rounds a number down to the nearest multiple of a specified significance. It is essential for financial calculations, inventory rounding, engineering tolerances, and any scenario where values must be rounded downward to a defined increment.

What the FLOOR Function Does

  • Rounds numbers downward
  • Rounds to a specified multiple (significance)
  • Works with positive and negative numbers
  • Useful for finance, manufacturing, and quantity rounding
  • Ensures values never round up

FLOOR is ideal when you must round down to the previous allowed increment.

Syntax

FLOOR(number; significance)

Arguments:

  • number — The value to round
  • significance — The multiple to round down to
If significance is omitted, it defaults to 1.

Rounding Rules

  • FLOOR always rounds down, toward zero
  • Significance defines the rounding increment
  • Works with decimals and whole numbers

Examples:

  • FLOOR(7.9; 1) → 7
  • FLOOR(7.9; 0.5) → 7.5
  • FLOOR(-7.9; 1) → -7 (downward = toward zero)

Basic Examples

Round down to the nearest whole number

=FLOOR(7.9; 1)

Result: 7

Round down to the nearest 10

=FLOOR(123; 10)

Result: 120

Round down to the nearest 0.25

=FLOOR(5.13; 0.25)

Result: 5.00

Round down using a cell reference

=FLOOR(A1; B1)

If B1 contains 0.5, A1 is rounded down to the nearest half.

Advanced Examples

FLOOR for financial rounding

Round down to the nearest cent:

=FLOOR(A1; 0.01)

FLOOR for packaging or inventory

Round down to full boxes of 12:

=FLOOR(A1; 12)

FLOOR for time rounding

Round down to the nearest 15 minutes:

=FLOOR(A1; 15/1440)

FLOOR across sheets

=FLOOR(Sheet1.A1; 5)

FLOOR with negative numbers

=FLOOR(-7.2; 1)

Result: -7

FLOOR with fractional significance

=FLOOR(2.37; 0.1)

Result: 2.3

FLOOR for engineering tolerances

Round down to nearest 0.005:

=FLOOR(A1; 0.005)

Common Errors and Fixes

FLOOR returns Err:502 (Invalid argument)

Occurs when:

  • Significance is 0
  • Significance is negative (not allowed in OpenOffice)
  • A malformed reference is used

FLOOR returns unexpected values

Possible causes:

  • Misunderstanding “round down” vs “toward zero”
  • Significance not matching expected increment
  • Negative numbers rounding toward zero

FLOOR includes values you expected it to ignore

FLOOR includes:

  • Dates
  • Times
  • Numeric results of formulas

FLOOR excludes values you expected it to include

FLOOR ignores:

  • Text numbers ("123")
  • Empty cells
  • Logical values (TRUE/FALSE)
  • Errors

Err:508 — Missing parenthesis

Usually caused by:

  • Missing )
  • Using commas instead of semicolons

Best Practices

  • Use FLOOR when rounding must go downward
  • Use CEILING when rounding upward
  • Use ROUND for symmetric rounding
  • Use FLOOR for billing, packaging, and time rounding
  • Convert imported text numbers to real numbers
  • Use named ranges for cleaner formulas
For time rounding, always convert minutes to days:
minutes / 1440