How to calculate percentage in excel formula
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Microsoft Excel is an essential tool for businesses and individuals alike. Among its many uses is the calculation of percentages, which can be valuable in various scenarios such as determining a worker’s bonus or calculating discounts. In this article, we will guide you through the process of calculating percentage in Excel using different formulas.
1.Basic Percentage Calculation
To calculate the percentage of a specific number, follow these steps:
Step 1: Decide on the values you want to calculate as a percentage.
For example, let’s assume we want to determine what percentage 20 is out of 100.
Step 2: Divide the part (20) by the total (100).
In Excel, navigate to an empty cell and enter:
=20/100
Step 3: Now, multiply the result by 100 to get the percentage.
= (20/100) * 100
After pressing Enter, you will see that the answer is 20%.
2.Percentage Increase or Decrease
To determine the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers, use the following steps:
Step 1: Identify your initial and final values.
Let’s say we want to find out the percentage increase from 50 to 75.
Step 2: Subtract the original value from the new value.
Use this formula in Excel:
=75 – 50
Step 3: Then divide this difference by the original value.
=(75 – 50) / 50
Step4: Multiply by 100 to obtain the percentage.
=((75 – 50) / 50) * 100
The result should be a positive number (50%) if there’s an increase and a negative number if there’s a decrease.
3.Calculating Percentages of a Total
Sometimes you may need to find out what percentage multiple values contribute to a total. For instance, you have three products, and you’d like to understand the percentage of total sales each product contributed. Here’s how:
Step 1: Calculate the total sum.
Let’s say the sales for Product A are $5000, Product B are $15000, and Product C are $10000. In Excel, use:
=5000 + 15000 + 10000
Step 2: Divide each value by the total sum.
Now that you have the total sum ($30,000), divide each product sales value by it:
Product A: =5000 / 30000
Product B: =15000 / 30000
Product C: =10000 / 30000
Step3: Multiply the results by 100 to get percentages.
For all three products, multiply the respective division results by 100:
Product A: =(5000 / 30000) * 100
Product B: =(15000 / 30000) * 100
Product C: =(10000 / 30000) * 100
You’ll get percentage contributions as follows:
Product A: 16.67%
Product B: 50%
Product C: 33.33%
With these simple Excel formulas, calculating percentages is quick and easy. Remember to practice with different sets of numbers to become proficient in using these formulas. Lastly, always double-check your inputs and formulas for errors to ensure accurate results.