The Excel’s ODD function rounds an entered number value to the nearest odd number away from zero. The function rounds up a positive number and it rounds down a negative number. The syntax of the Excel’s ODD function is:

=ODD(number value)

In this formula, the number argument is the numeric value that needs to be rounded off to the nearest odd number. You can enter the number argument either a value returned from other formulas or functions, a cell reference which contain the numeric value or even the actual numeric value.

Here are some examples for a better understanding about the ODD function in Microsoft Excel:

  • The number value 22 is contained in cell B1. Then you can type in the ODD function formula in cell C1 in this way, =ODD(22). The function will return the result which is 23.
  • The numeric value 1.22 is contained in cell B2. The ODD function formula must be entered in cell C2 in this way, =ODD(B2). Remember that you can also use the cell reference containing the value to be rounded off instead of the numeric value itself. The function will return the result which is 3.
  • You can also use the ODD function formula in such a way like this, =ODD(B2 + 4). Remember that the numeric value in cell B2 is 1.22, and then if it is added to 4, the result is obviously 5.22. The function will return the result which is 7.
  • A numeric value of zero (0) is contained in cell B4. The ODD function formula should be entered in cell C4, =ODD(B4). Then the function will return the result which is 1.
  • Now, negative numeric values will be used. For instance, -1.3 is contained in cell B5. Then in cell C5, you can enter the function formula, =ODD(B5). You will notice that the function will return the result which is -3.
  • For example, -10 are contained in cell B6. You can type in the ODD function formula in cell C6, =ODD(B6). Then the function will return the result which is -11.
  • Finally, -3 are contained in cell B7. Then the function formula should appear in C7 in such a way like this, =ODD(B7). The function will return the result which is -3. As you can notice, the result is just the same as the actual numeric value since the nearest odd number to -3 is itself.

Based on the examples above, you can generalize that the ODD function will always round off the numeric value to the nearest odd number away from zero. Once again, if the numeric value is rounded up if it is positive, but if it is negative, it will be rounded down, always away from zero.

However, as you would notice in the examples given above, if the numeric value is equivalent to zero (0), the ODD function rounds it up to a positive value of 1.

This free Excel help article has provided you an overview of the Excel’s ODD function and few examples that will help you to learn on how to use it. You can try doing those examples mentioned above in your Excel spreadsheet so that you could be able to explore more about the ODD function, even if you are not an Excel consultant.

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