ok, i got it, by using your 1st equation:
With your raw data in A1 and the number of significant figures you desire in B1=3, try:
=ROUND(A1,B1-1-INT(LOG10(ABS(A1))))
and adding an additional if statement in another cell, that:
With your raw data in A1, the number of significant figures you desire in B2=2 and your previous cell in C3, try:
=IF(C3<.1,ROUND(A1,B2-1-INT(LOG10(ABS(A1)))),C3)
this takes care of the problem, when numbers are less than .1, and therefore solves the problem.
marc
really appreciate your help all these times guys!!
marc