Calculate Percentage in Excel
Percentage can be explained as a proportion or ratio between two numbers in 100 scale. i.e., 250 out of 1000 is 25% (i.e., 250 : 1000 is equivalent to 25 : 100).
There can be 2 scenarios You would like to calculate percentage in Excel.
Let’s see them with a simple example …
1. Calculate Percentage from a Number against a Total
For example, You would like to calculate what percentage is 230 out of 800. Here 800 is the Total. So, the actual mathematical formula to calculate percentage would be: (230/800) * 100 = 28.75
So, it is 28.75:100 is equivalent to 230:800.
How to calculate this Excel? Here are the easy steps to solve this ..
- Type =230/800 in worksheet cell A1
- Press ‘Enter’ to get the decimal number 28.75
- Select cell A1
- Press this shortcut key now.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + % (Keyboard shortcut to Percentage format)
- or click on Menu -> Home -> Number Tab -> %
This function just converts the decimal format to a Percentage format.
So this is how we calculate a Percentage of a number against a grand total & then represent it in proper format with a % symbol.
2. Derive Number from Percentage of a Total
This is opposite of the calculation explained above. i.e., We are going to find out what is 28.75% of 800.
Mathematical formula here is to multiple the Percentage & the grant total.
This will give what percentage of grand total is the n%.
In real life scenario: If someone has to give you a commission of 28.75% of 800$, that means you will get 230$. Here is how it is done in Excel.
Yes. It is nothing new. It is just a multiplication to be true. Type in these values as explained:
- 28.75% in cell A1
- 800 in cell A2
- Enter the formula ‘=A1*A2’ in cell A3.
Thats it.
Additional Notes: While using the % format changer from menu, Excel might round of the numbers. If you would like to the decimal points to be displayed: then right click on the cell & use the format option to add number of decimals you would like to see in the results.