Calculate Percentage of a Number in Excel [4 Cases Explained]

We all know how important it is to know to calculate the percentage for our daily work life. Usage of percentage is almost everywhere, you can’t avoid it. I know some of you may find the percentage a bit disturbing because we can not always remember the basic rule of percentage all the time. The good news is Excel has a percentage feature and some easy formulas to calculate the percentages. Here, I am going to explain 4 cases to calculate the percentage of a number in Excel.

Get Percentage of a Number in Excel.xlsx

Table of Contents

Basics of Percentage

In the simplest words, the Percentage means parts per 100. 100 is considered the total number when we calculate the percentage. It has no unit and a symbol like ‘%’ is used to express the percentage.

Percentage = (Part/Total number) x 100

To give you an example, 25% means,

And if, you have 200 books and so far you read 25 books from there. So you have finished reading 12.5% of your books.

Introduction to the Dataset

Now to show you some scenarios of percentages I have a dataset here with some information about a clothing shop. It has a list of different types of products and the number of products and amount of sold products. We are going to find out the percentage of sold products.

Quickest Way to Calculate Percentage of a Number in Excel

To calculate the percentage of a number in Excel, you can either write down the formula of the percentage or use the Percentage option of Excel.

But using the percentage command will be the fastest way to do that.

Usage Guide

Step_1: Type the following formula in an empty cell (cell D2):

=C2/B2

Formula Explanation

C2 is the number of sold products, so it is part of the whole portion. That’s why we will divide the C2 by B2. Here B2 is the number of the full amount. Always keep the small number first and divide that with the bigger number.

Step_2: Hit ENTER.

This will give you the result of the fraction.

Step_3: Select the Home tab.

Step_4: Inside the Number group, click on the ‘%’ symbol (or press CTRL+SHIFT+%).

Step_5: Now double-click on the Fill Handle ‘+’ icon.

Final Result >

This turns the results into percentages.

Note: This method shows the integer values only. But if you want to increase the decimals, and keep the numbers after the point, you have to follow a few extra steps. To increase the decimals,

Usasge Guide

Step_1: Select the Home tab.

Step_2: From the Number group, click on the drop-down icon.

Step_3: Select the Percentage option from the drop-down list.

Now, the percentage has two numbers after the point.

Step_4: Copy the formula down to the range of D2:D9 using the Fill Handle.

Final Result >

Here is the final result.

Note: You can also increase or decrease the decimals by using the decimal commands.

Alternative Way: Calculate the Percentage of a Number in Excel with Total Amount in a Different Cell

Now, for instance, the dataset has a common total value of all products, unlike the previous scenario.

This time the method will be different.

Usage Guide

Step_1: Write this formula in cell C2:

=B2/$B$10

Formula Explanation

B2 is the number of T-shirts. We want the B2 to be changed in the formula so we have not applied any cell reference here. But we want the Total to be fixed in the formula. So we have used the absolute cell reference in B10 and turned it into $B$10.

Note: Press F4 after typing B10 to apply absolute cell reference.

Step_2: Press ENTER.

Step_3: Click on the Home tab.

Step_4: Click on the ‘%’ symbol (or press CTRL+SHIFT+%).

Step_5: Copy down the formula using the Fill Handle.

Final Result >

Case #1: Calculate the Percentage of Various Numbers in Excel

You can calculate the percentage of a number in Excel.

Usage Guide

Step_1: Write the formula in an empty cell:

=(B2*A2)

Formula Explanation

Cell A2 has the Percentage(%). B2 has a value of which I want to find the 12%. The asterisk mark (*) works here as a multiplier.

Step_2: Press ENTER.

Step_3: Double-click on the Fill Handle ‘+’ icon.

Final Result >

This way you can calculate the percentage of a number.

Case #2: Calculate a Decrease of Percentage in Excel

If you want to decrease a percentage from the total value, there’s a formula for that. For instance, each month you want to invest a percentage of the amount from the monthly revenue. In that case, you have to minus the percentage of investment from the revenue.

Usage Guide

Step_1: Write this formula in an empty cell:

=B2*(1-C2)

Formula Explanation

B2*1 means B2 which is the amount of revenue. And B2*C2 returns the value of the 12th portion of $25,000. So when subtracting B2*C2 from B2*1 returns the value of change.

Step_2: Press ENTER.

Step_3: Double-click on the Fill Handle icon.

Final Result >

Fill Handle has copied the formula down to D2:D10.

Case #3: Calculate the Percentage of a Number in Excel with Scattered Parts of a Total

If you are working with a lengthy dataset with repeated product names but different values, you can still find the percentage of a particular repeated product.

We are going to use the SUMIF function for this method.

Usage Guide

Step_1: Write the formula in a separate cell (D3):

=SUMIF(A2:A11,"Top",B2:B11)/$B$12

Formula Explanation

The formula says, range A2:A11, is selected to find the product name “Top”. Then the function will sum up the number of Top from range B2 to B11. Then the sum-up value will be divided by B12 (total value).

Step_2: Press ENTER.

Step_3: Select the ‘%’ symbol from the Number group.

Final Result >

You will get the result in percent (%) after that.

Case #4: Calculate an Increase of Percentage in Excel

This method is similar to calculating a decrease in percentage. You just need to modify the formula a bit.

Usage Guide

Step_1: Type the following formula in cell D2:

=B2*(1+C2)

Step_2: Press ENTER.

Step_3: Click on the Fill Handle icon.

Final Result >

Here is the final outcome of the formula.

Conclusion

I have tried to show you the most used formulas in Excel. But there are many other formulas for percentages. I hope you have found what you are looking for in my article. Let us know how you like this blog. Thank you.

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