How to Display Fractions in Excel
Microsoft Excel allows users to create spreadsheets, charts, invoices and many other documents. Displaying fractions in Excel can be tricky for people not familiar with the program. Luckily, learning the ropes of the program is easy and with a little practice becomes as simple as opening a new document.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Start the Microsoft Excel program.
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2
Open the document you wish to add the fractions to by clicking "Open" on the toolbar. Select "Open" from the drop-down list. Select the file from the list.
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3
Select the box, or cell, where you want to display the fraction. If you want to display fractions in multiple cells, highlight all of the cells.
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4
Right-click on the cell and select the "Format Cells" option. Another alternative is to click on "Format" in the toolbar at the top and then select "Cells" from the drop-down menu.
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5
Pick the "Numbers" tab. A list of categories is displayed. Select "Fraction" from the category list.
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6
Select the type of fraction you want to display. Click "OK" to format the cell and close the display.
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7
Type the fraction into the cell. For example, type "1/2" without any spaces. Excel automatically reduces fractions; if you enter 4/8, it changes to 1/2.
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8
Input a whole number and a fraction in the same cell by typing the whole number, a space and then the fraction.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Use a decimal point to display fractions without formatting the cells for fractions.
If you try to enter a fraction without formatting the cell first, Excel treats the fraction as a date.
