How to Use the FIXED Text Function in Google Sheets

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The Fixed function in Google Sheets is specifically for formatting numbers with fixed decimal places. It’s a text function so the formatted numbers will be in text format.

Actually, to format a number that using a formula, you can either use the Text function or the Fixed function. In the former function, you should specify a format. But the latter doesn’t require any specific format.

The Syntax of Google Sheets Fixed Function:

FIXED(number, [number_of_places], [suppress_separator])

Arguments:

number – The number in question to format.

number_of_places – It’s optional. In this, you can specify the number of decimal places to display. The default number of decimal places is 2.

suppress_separator – This argument is also optional. In this, you can specify whether to exclude/include the 1000 separator. By default, the 1000 separator, if present, will be included. Put 1 to exclude the 1000 separator.

Formula Examples to the Fixed Function in Google Sheets

Fixed Function without Any Optional Arguments

I have the below Fixed formula in cell D3 which copied to the range D3:D8. The formula converts the numbers to text. Also, it keeps the 1000 separators, if any, and rounds the number of places to two.

=fixed(B2)
FIXED Function in Google Sheets

The following formula will return the above same output.

=fixed(B2,2,0)

Format Numbers to Texts and Remove Thousands Separator in Google Sheets

Using Google Sheets Fixed function, you can very easily format numbers and remove thousands separator, if any.

=fixed(B2,2,1)
Formula to Remove Thousands Separator in Google Sheets

Additional Tips Related to the Use of Fixed Formula in Google Sheets

Non-Array to Array:

Fixed is a non-array function. You can convert it to an array function as below.

In the last example, I have used Fixed formulas in each row. Use the below formula in cell D2. It will return the results in the range D2:D8.

=ArrayFormula(fixed(B2:B8,2,1))

If you see any error, that may be due to existing values in D3:D8. Array Formulas can’t overwrite existing values in cells.

Must Read: Google Sheets Array Formula Example and Usage.

Text Values in Aggregation:

The Fixed formula returns text output because of formatting numbers. In order to use the ‘fixed’ formatted numbers calculations, you can follow this workaround.

=Sum(ArrayFormula(fixed(B2:B8,2,1)*1))

Replace the Fixed Function with Text Function:

Here are two example formulas.

Formula 1:

=text(1500,"0.00")

Formula 2:

=text(1500,"?,###.00")

Prashanth KV
Prashanth KV
Your Trusted Google Sheets and Excel Guide Prashanth KV brings a wealth of experience in Google Sheets and Excel, cultivated through years of work with multinational corporations in Mumbai and Dubai. As a recognized Google Product Expert in Docs Editors, Prashanth shares his expertise through insightful blogging since 2012. Explore his blog for practical tips and guidance on maximizing your spreadsheet skills.

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