How to Calculate Percentage in Excel

In this article, we will guide you on how to calculate percentages in Excel. 

By learning how to calculate percentages in Excel, you can streamline your data analysis, budgeting, and financial reporting tasks. 

Join us as we explore step-by-step instructions, tips, and examples to master the art of percentage calculations in Excel.

Excel Percentage Calculation Made Easy

Calculating percentages in Excel is a straightforward process that involves dividing a number by 100. A percentage represents a fraction or ratio out of 100 and is denoted by the symbol "%". Whether you're determining a percentage increase, finding a percentage of a total, or calculating percentages in other scenarios, Excel provides several formulas and functions to simplify the process.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to calculate percentages in Excel:

1. Determine the Numerator: Identify the value or quantity you want to calculate a percentage. This will be the numerator in your calculation.
2. Identify the Denominator: Determine the total value or quantity that the numerator is a part of. This will be the denominator in your calculation.
3. Divide and Multiply: In Excel, you can calculate a percentage by dividing the numerator by the denominator and multiplying the result by 100. This can be done using simple arithmetic operators or specific functions.
4. Format the Result: Once you have the calculated percentage, you can apply the percentage format to the cell or range to display it correctly.

Here are a few examples of different percentage calculations in Excel:

• To calculate a percentage increase, subtract the old value from the new value, divide it by the old value, and multiply by 100.
• To find a percentage of a total, multiply the total by the percentage value divided by 100.
• Excel also offers functions like SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT to perform percentage calculations on a range of cells.

By leveraging these formulas and functions, you can easily calculate percentages in Excel and streamline your data analysis, financial calculations, and more.

What is the Percentage Formula in Excel?

The percentage formula in Excel follows a simple calculation: (part/total)*100. You can obtain the percentage by dividing the part value by the total value and multiplying the result by 100. Excel makes it even easier by automatically calculating percentages when applying appropriate formatting to the cell.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of how to use the percentage formula in Excel:

1. Enter the relevant values: In your Excel worksheet, input the necessary data, such as the total and part values for which you want to calculate the percentage.
2. Apply the formula: In a separate cell, input the formula to calculate the percentage. Divide the part value by the total value and multiply the result by 100. For example, if the total is in cell A2 and the part is in cell B2, the formula would be "=B8/A8*100".
3. Format the cell: Excel automatically calculates the result as a decimal. To display it as a percentage, select the cell or range of cells containing the percentage calculation and apply the percentage format from the toolbar or formatting options.

Other Methods for Calculating Percentages in Excel

When calculating percentages in Excel, there are alternative methods you can use for specific scenarios.

Calculate the Percentage from Values at the End of the Table

One such method involves calculating the percentage based on values at the end of a table.

Consider a situation where you have a column with different values, and the total of those values is provided at the end of the column. You can use the percentage formula in Excel to calculate the percentage of each value to the total and display it in a separate column.

Here's how you can approach this calculation:

1. Identify the individual values and the total: In your Excel worksheet, locate the column with the individual values and the total value at the end of the column.
2. Apply the formula: In a neighboring column, enter the formula to calculate the percentage. Divide each individual value by the total value. For example, if the individual value is in cell B2 and the total is in cell B5, the formula would be "=B2/$B$5". Using absolute reference ($B$5) ensures the total remains constant in all calculations.
3. Copy the formula: Once you have applied it in the first cell of the percentage column, you can copy it to the rest of the columns. Excel will adjust the cell references accordingly, calculating each value.

Using this method, you can easily calculate the percentage of each item to the total based on values at the end of the table. This approach is particularly useful when you have a set of data where the total is provided separately, allowing you to analyze and compare the contribution of each item to the overall total.

Calculate the Percentage from Values in Multiple Rows

Calculating percentages in Excel from values in multiple rows can be achieved using the SUMIF function. When you have data in multiple rows and want to extract values based on specific criteria and then calculate a percentage, the SUMIF function is handy.

Here's how you can use the SUMIF function to calculate percentages in Excel:

1. Identify the criteria: Determine the specific criteria based on which you want to pull out values from multiple rows. This could be a branch name, product type, or other relevant factor.
2. Apply the SUMIF function: Use the SUMIF function to add up the numbers that meet the given criteria. The function takes three arguments: range, criteria, and sum_range. The range represents the cells to be evaluated, the criteria specify the condition to be met, and the sum_range denotes the cells to be summed.
3. Divide by the total: After using the SUMIF function to obtain the sum of the desired values, divide this sum by the total to calculate the percentage. The total value can be referenced using an absolute reference to keep it constant in all calculations.

By following this method, you can calculate the percentage of values that meet specific criteria in Excel. This approach is useful when you need to analyze and compare the contribution of different categories or factors within your data set. The SUMIF function lets you pull out relevant values and perform calculations efficiently.

FAQs

How do I SUM percentages in Excel?

To sum percentages in Excel, you can use the SUM function and apply the percentage format to the cell range containing the percentages.

How do you SUM a total percentage?

Add the percentages together to sum a total percentage in Excel using the "+" operator or the SUM function.

How do you calculate 10% in Excel?

To calculate 10% of a number in Excel, multiply the number by 10% or use the formula "=number*10%" to get the result.

How do you calculate 25% in Excel?

To calculate 25% of a number in Excel, multiply the number by 25% or use the formula "=number*25%" to obtain the result.

How do I calculate 20% of a number?

To calculate 20% of a number in Excel, multiply the number by 20% or use the formula "=number*20%" to get the desired value.

Final Thoughts

Calculating percentages in Excel is a straightforward process that can be done using simple formulas and functions. Whether you need to determine a percentage increase, find a percentage of a total, or calculate percentages based on specific criteria, Excel provides the tools to make these calculations easy.

You can obtain accurate percentage values by following the basic formula of (part/total)*100. Remember to apply the appropriate formatting to display percentages correctly.

With practice and familiarity, mastering percentage calculations in Excel will enhance your data analysis and financial reporting capabilities.

One more thing

If you have a second, please share this article on your socials; someone else may benefit too.

Subscribe to our newsletter and be the first to read our future articles, reviews, and blog posts in your email inbox. We also offer deals, promotions, and updates on our products and share them via email. You won’t miss one.