Mastering Microsoft Access: The Ultimate Guide to the ROUND Function

Victoria Jul 07, 2026

Microsoft Access, a popular relational database management system, offers a wide range of built-in functions to simplify data manipulation and analysis. One such function is the ROUND function, which is essential for rounding numbers to a specified precision. Let's delve into the intricacies of the Microsoft Access ROUND function, its syntax, arguments, and practical applications.

Microsoft Access 2013 Tutorial - Office 2013 Training | IT Online Training
Microsoft Access 2013 Tutorial - Office 2013 Training | IT Online Training

The ROUND function in Microsoft Access is used to round a number to the nearest specified number of digits. It's particularly useful when you want to display data in a more readable or understandable format, or when you need to perform calculations that require rounded numbers.

MS Access DLOOKUP Function - Microsoft Access Programs
MS Access DLOOKUP Function - Microsoft Access Programs

Understanding the ROUND Function Syntax

The basic syntax of the ROUND function in Microsoft Access is as follows:

Handy Cheat Sheets – Microsoft Office | CustomGuide
Handy Cheat Sheets – Microsoft Office | CustomGuide

ROUND(number, num_digits)

Here, 'number' is the value you want to round, and 'num_digits' is the number of digits to which you want to round the 'number'.

Microsoft Access Asset Tracking Management Database Templates for Microsoft Access 2016 Software - Verified: June 2026 ✅
Microsoft Access Asset Tracking Management Database Templates for Microsoft Access 2016 Software - Verified: June 2026 ✅

Number Argument

The 'number' argument can be any numeric expression, including fields, constants, or expressions that result in a numeric value. For example, you can use the ROUND function to round the value of a field like this:

ROUND([Sales Amount], 2)

Microsoft Access Beginner 1 - Computer Learning Zone
Microsoft Access Beginner 1 - Computer Learning Zone

Num_Digits Argument

The 'num_digits' argument specifies the number of digits to which you want to round the 'number'. It can be a positive or negative integer. A positive value rounds the number to the specified number of decimal places, while a negative value rounds the number to the specified number of places to the left of the decimal point.

For instance, ROUND(123.456, 2) rounds 123.456 to 123.46, and ROUND(12345, -2) rounds 12345 to 12000.

Tutorial - Creating a Contact Management Database (CRM) using Microsoft Access
Tutorial - Creating a Contact Management Database (CRM) using Microsoft Access

Practical Applications of the ROUND Function

The ROUND function has numerous practical applications in Microsoft Access. Here are a few examples:

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the microsoft access key is shown in this screenshote screen shot from windows xp
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Formatting Currency

When displaying currency values, it's common to round to two decimal places. The ROUND function can be used to achieve this. For example, in a query or report, you can use the following expression to round the 'Sales Amount' field to two decimal places:

ROUND([Sales Amount], 2)

Calculating Averages

When calculating averages, it's often necessary to round the result to a specific number of decimal places. The ROUND function can be used to ensure that the average is displayed in a meaningful format. For instance, the following expression calculates the average of the 'Sales Amount' field and rounds the result to two decimal places:

ROUND(Avg([Sales Amount]), 2)

Rounding to the Nearest Whole Number

To round a number to the nearest whole number, you can use the ROUND function with 0 as the second argument. For example, ROUND(123.456, 0) rounds 123.456 to 123.

In conclusion, the Microsoft Access ROUND function is a powerful tool for rounding numbers to a specified precision. Whether you're formatting currency, calculating averages, or performing other data manipulation tasks, the ROUND function can help ensure that your data is accurate, readable, and meaningful. So, the next time you need to round numbers in Microsoft Access, don't hesitate to use the ROUND function. It might just save you from a world of decimal-point pain!