How to Divide Cells in Excel

Excel spreadsheets can be used to perform such basic tasks as adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing numbers in cells. Excel relies on formulas for these mathematical operations. These formulas can be created manually or automated and activated in the cells by the click of a button.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Divide the Numbers in a Cell

1. Click on a cell to enter your data.
2. Type an equal sign (=).
3. Type your first number. For this example, we will divide 15 by 5.
4. Press the forward slash key on your keyboard (/). This is the division sign in Excel.
5. Type in your next number, 5.
6. Press the "Enter" key on your keyboard or click on the check mark on the tool bar. This displays the result of the calculation.

Divide Numbers in a Range of Cells

7. Type the number 15 into cell A1.
8. Type the number 5 into cell A2.
9. Click cell A3 and type an equal sign (=).
10. Click on cell A1. "A1" should appear after the equal sign in A3.
11. Press the forward slash (/) key on your keyboard.
12. Click on cell A2. "A2" should appear after the forward slash. Your formula should look like this: = A1/A2.
13. Press the "Enter" key on your keyboard or click on the check mark button on the tool bar to perform the calculation. The answer 3 should appear in cell A3.

Divide Numbers Using the Quotient Function

14. Use the quotient function. You can divide numbers with the quotient function: QUOTIENT (Numerator, Denominator). The only difference between using this function and using regular division is that, if there are any remainders, the answer from the quotient function will not display it.
15. Type the number 15 into cell A1. This is your numerator.
16. Type the number 2 into cell A2. This is your denominator.
17. Click on A3, where the result will be displayed.
18. Click on the "Paste function" button (fx) on the tool bar to open the list of functions. Select "Quotient." The quotient dialog box should appear.
19. Click on the "Numerator" line. Click on cell A1.
20. Click on the "Denominator" line in the dialog box. Click on cell A2.
21. Click on "OK" to close the Quotient dialog box. The number 7 appears as the answer in cell A3. Notice that the answer does not include any remainders.

Tips & Warnings

• The Quotient function is a standard function in Excel 2007. If you have an earlier version of Excel, and the function is not in the list of functions, you can install an Analysis Pack from your Microsoft Office setup disk.

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