How to Calculate Cumulative Percentage in Excel (2023)

In this article, we will guide you through five easy ways to calculate cumulative percentage in Excel. These methods will allow you to quickly and accurately determine the cumulative percentages for a large range of data, saving you time and effort. Whether you're analyzing frequency distributions or tracking sales progress over time, Excel's functions and features can help you calculate cumulative percentages with ease.

Table of Contents

Manually Calculate Cumulative Frequency and Get the Cumulative Frequency Percentage
By Applying Data Range and Intervals into Histogram
By Creating an Excel Pivot Table to Get Cumulative Percentage
Getting the Percentage of the Unit Values to Calculate Cumulative Percentage in Excel
Using the Sum Function to Calculate Cumulative Frequency and Percentage

1. Manually Calculate Cumulative Frequency and Get the Cumulative Frequency Percentage

To manually calculate cumulative frequency and get the cumulative frequency percentage in Excel, follow these steps:

Step 1: Set up the spreadsheet

Open Excel and enter your data in columns A and B. Column A should contain the values, and column B should contain the corresponding frequencies.
In column C, enter the formula =B2 in cell C2. This formula represents the starting point for calculating the cumulative frequency.

Step 2: Calculate cumulative frequency

In cell C3, enter the formula =B3+C2. This formula adds the current frequency to the cumulative frequency from the previous row.
Copy the formula in cell C3 and paste it down to the last row of your data. This will calculate the cumulative frequency for each value.

Step 3: Calculate cumulative frequency percentage

Select the range of cells in column D where you want to display the cumulative frequency percentages.
On the Home tab, go to the Number group and select the Percentage format.
In cell D2, enter the formula =C2/COUNT($B$2:$B$11). This formula divides the cumulative frequency by the total frequency to get the percentage.
Copy the formula in cell D2 and paste it down to the last row of your data. This will calculate the cumulative frequency percentage for each value.

By following these steps, you can manually calculate the cumulative frequency and percentage in Excel. This method allows you to have full control over the calculations and customize the formulas according to your specific requirements.

2. By Applying Data Range and Intervals into Histogram

Another way to calculate cumulative percentages in Excel is by using the Histogram feature. This method is particularly useful when you want to analyze the frequency distribution of your data. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Enable the Data Analysis tool

Click on the File menu and select Options.
In the Options dialog box, choose Add-ins from the left-hand side menu.
In the Manage drop-down menu, select Excel Add-ins and click on the Go button.
Check the box next to Analysis ToolPak and click on the OK button.

Step 2: Create a histogram

Select the range of cells that contain your data.
Go to the Data tab and click on the Data Analysis button in the Analysis group.
In the Data Analysis dialog box, select Histogram and click on the OK button.
In the Histogram dialog box, specify the Input Range (the range of cells containing your data) and the Bin Range (the range of cells specifying the intervals for the histogram).
Check the Cumulative Percentage option.
Choose a location for the Output Range (the range of cells where the histogram will be displayed) and select the Chart Output option if desired.
Click on the OK button to generate the histogram.

By following these steps, you can create a histogram in Excel that displays the cumulative percentages for each interval. This method provides a visual representation of the frequency distribution and allows you to analyze the cumulative percentages more easily.

3. By Creating an Excel Pivot Table to Get Cumulative Percentage

Using an Excel Pivot Table is another efficient way to calculate cumulative percentages. This method simplifies the process and allows you to generate the results quickly. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Create a Pivot Table

Select your data range.
Go to the Insert tab and click on the PivotTable button in the Tables group.
In the Create PivotTable dialog box, choose the location for your PivotTable and click on the OK button.
In the PivotTable Field List, drag the field containing the values you want to analyze to the Values area.

Step 2: Calculate cumulative percentage

Double-click on the field in the Values area to open the Value Field Settings dialog box.
In the Show Values As tab, select "% Running Total In" from the Show Values As drop-down menu.
Click on the OK button to apply the calculation.
The cumulative percentages will be displayed in the PivotTable.

By following these steps, you can create an Excel Pivot Table that calculates the cumulative percentages for your data. This method is particularly useful when you have large datasets and want to analyze them in a more organized and efficient manner.

4. Getting the Percentage of the Unit Values to Calculate Cumulative Percentage in Excel

You can also calculate cumulative percentages in Excel by getting the percentage of the unit values. This method allows you to determine the cumulative percentages based on the total sales or units. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Calculate the total sales or units

Enter the formula =SUM(B2:B11) in cell B12 to calculate the total sales or units.
Lock the cell reference by pressing the F4 key after selecting cell B12.

Step 2: Calculate the sales percentage for each year

Select columns C and D.
Go to the Home tab and choose the Percentage format from the Number group.
In cell C2, enter the formula =B2/B12 to calculate the sales percentage for the year 2013.
Lock the cell reference for B12 by pressing the F4 key.
Copy the formula in cell C2 and paste it down to the last row of your data.
The sales percentages for each year will be displayed in column C.

Step 3: Calculate the cumulative percentage

In cell D2, enter the formula =C2 to copy the sales percentage from column C.
In cell D3, enter the formula =C3+D2 to calculate the cumulative percentage.
Copy the formula in cell D3 and paste it down to the last row of your data.
The cumulative percentages will be displayed in column D.

By following these steps, you can calculate the cumulative percentages in Excel based on the total sales or units. This method allows you to track the progress of your sales over time and analyze the cumulative percentages more effectively.

5. Using the Sum Function to Calculate Cumulative Frequency and Percentage

The Sum function can also be used to calculate cumulative frequency and percentage in Excel. This method is straightforward and can be applied when you have a simple dataset. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Calculate cumulative frequency

Enter the formula =SUM($B$2:B2) in cell C2 to calculate the cumulative frequency for the first value.
Lock the cell reference for B2 by pressing the F4 key.

Step 2: Calculate cumulative percentage

Select the range of cells in column D where you want to display the cumulative percentage.
Go to the Home tab and choose the Percentage format from the Number group.
In cell D2, enter the formula =C2/$C$11 to calculate the cumulative percentage.
Lock the cell reference for C11 by pressing the F4 key.
Copy the formula in cell D2 and paste it down to the last row of your data.
The cumulative percentages will be displayed in column D.

By following these steps, you can use the Sum function to calculate the cumulative frequency and percentage in Excel. This method is simple and efficient, especially when you have a small dataset.

Conclusion

Calculating cumulative percentages in Excel is essential for analyzing frequency distributions, tracking sales progress, and performing various data analysis tasks. In this article, we have explored five different methods to calculate cumulative percentages in Excel. Whether you prefer manual calculations, histograms, Pivot Tables, or using functions like Sum, Excel provides you with the flexibility and tools to perform these calculations accurately and efficiently. Choose the method that best suits your needs and start calculating cumulative percentages in Excel today.