How to Use Excel to Figure the Percent of a Number

Calculate the percent of a number with a couple of keystrokes.

Microsoft Excel is more than just software for data entry. You can use Excel's built-in formulas and functions to manipulate and calculate data. For instance, Excel can take figures you input and then figure out the percent of a number for you. For example, if you just scored 58 points on a test worth 70 points and you want to know what percentage of 70 your score is, Excel can calculate that in a spreadsheet.

Instructions

1. Type the first number into a cell. In this example, type "58" into cell A1.

2. Type the total into a second cell. In our example, type "70" into cell A2.

3. Type the division formula into a third cell. The division formula starts with an "=" sign followed by a cell reference, a division sign (a slash) and then a second cell reference. In the example above, type "=A1/A2" into cell A3. Cell A3 displays the result as a decimal. In this example, the result is .83, or 83 percent.

4. Click on the "Home" tab then click on the "%" sign. The cell changes from a decimal to a percentage.

Tips & Warnings

• You can place the numbers and formula in completely separated cells; they do not have to be adjoining each other. For example, one number could be in cell Z1, a second number could be in cell A33 and the formula could be in cell C22.

References

• Microsoft: Calculate Percentages