How to Find a Ratio in Microsoft Excel

Ratios are used to compare numbers (that contain the same unit of measurement) to the whole. According to Dr. Math from The Math Forum, a ratio is usually a quotient of two numbers. A ratio may appear as a fraction or with a colon. Microsoft Excel has built-in formulas that help you quickly calculate totals and then determine a ratio. You can copy a formula from one cell to multiple cells in your spreadsheet to save time.

Instructions

1. Open a new or existing spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel.

2. Enter the numbers you want to calculate by placing each in its individual cell. Be sure not add any characters to your number (example: $) so that Excel will calculate each as a number.

3. Find the total number of items you're calculating by placing your cursor in an empty cell.

4. Click on the "AutoSum" button in the "Standard" toolbar and select the numbers you want to sum. Then press the "Enter" key.

5. Place your cursor in an empty cell where you'd like the ratio to appear.

6. Type in the "=" (equal sign) in the cell and select the number you want to find a ratio for.

7. Type the "/" (division sign) into the cell and select the cell with the total (from step four). Then press the "Enter" key. The ratio will be displayed as a decimal.

8. Select the cells that include the calculated total and ratio. To paste the formula to other cells, place your cursor on the right corner of the selected cell. Then drag your mouse downward to paste the formula to other cells.

References

• The Math Forum: Ratios