Introduction: Welcome to our comprehensive guide on calculating percentages in Excel. In this article, we will dive into various methods, formulas, and techniques to help you become a pro at handling percentage calculations in Excel. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced user, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to effortlessly perform percentage calculations, saving you time and effort. Let's get started!
Understanding the Basics: When it comes to calculating percentages in Excel, there is no basic formula. However, fret not, as we will explore different approaches to tackle this task efficiently. Let's delve into some of the most commonly used methods.
Method 1: Multiplying a Number by a Percentage: To calculate a specific percentage of a number in Excel, follow these steps:
- Select an empty cell where you want the answer displayed.
- Enter an equal sign (=) followed by an open parenthesis to begin creating the formula.
- Select the cell containing the number for which you want to find a specific percentage.
- Enter an asterisk (*).
- Select the cell in which you entered the percentage value.
- Enter a close parenthesis and press Enter.
Example: Let's say we have a number 573 in cell A1 and we want to calculate 10% of it. Follow these steps:
- Enter 573 into cell A1 and 10% into cell B1.
- Copy the formula: =(A1*B1).
- Paste it into cell C1.
- Voila! You should now see the newly computed percentage in cell C1.
Method 2: Multiplying All Numbers in a Column by the Same Percentage: If you have a column with multiple numbers and you want to calculate the same percentage for each of them, here's what you need to do:
- Enter the numbers you want to multiply by a specific percentage into Column A.
- Select Column B.
- Right-click and select Format Cells.
- Choose Percentage and select OK.
- Enter the desired percentage into B1.
- Select the fill handle/Plus sign (+) in B1 and drag it down over the other cells in Column B to copy the percentage to those cells.
- Select Column C.
- Right-click and select Format Cells.
- Select Number and select OK.
- Select cell C1 and enter =(A1*B1) in Excel 2019, 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel 2007, or Excel Online.
- Select C1.
- Select the fill handle/Plus sign (+) and drag down over the other cells in Column C.
Method 3: Finding the Percentage of a Total: If you need to calculate the percentage of a total, follow these steps:
- Enter the total goal into one cell (e.g., 1500 in A1).
- Enter the total to date in another cell (e.g., 736 in B1).
- Select the cell where you want to display the percentage.
- Enter an equal sign and open parenthesis, then select the cell containing the total to date (B1).
- Type a forward slash (/), then select the cell containing the total (A1).
- Enter a close parenthesis and press Enter.
Advanced Techniques: Now that you've mastered the basics, let's explore some advanced techniques to further enhance your percentage calculations.
Method 4: Changing an Amount by a Percentage: If you want to increase or decrease an amount by a specific percentage, Excel can help you with that too. Here's how:
- Enter the amount you want to change by a percentage in the first cell (e.g., $200 in A1).
- Select the second column.
- Right-click the cell and select Format Cells. Choose Percentage and select OK.
- Enter the percentage by which you want to reduce the original amount in the second column (e.g., 17% in B1).
- Select inside the third cell where you want to display the changed amount.
- Use the formula =A1*(1-B1) for decreasing the amount by a percentage.
- Press Enter to see the result.
Conclusion: Congratulations! You have now become a master at calculating percentages in Excel. In this comprehensive guide, we covered various methods, formulas, and techniques to empower you with the skills to handle percentage calculations effectively. Whether you're dealing with finding specific percentages, multiplying numbers by percentages, or calculating percentages of a total, Excel has all the tools you need. So, go ahead, apply these techniques, and excel in your percentage calculations with ease. Happy calculating!
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