How to Calculate Percentage in Excel
Although there’s no basic percentage formula in Excel, you can multiply a number by a percentage using a formula. For example, if you have a column containing numbers and want to calculate 10% of one of those numbers, enter 10% in another cell, and then use a formula using the asterisk as the multiplication operator.
Multiply the Cells in a Column by the Same Percentage
You can quickly calculate all the numbers in a column by the same percentage using the same formula with a few extra steps. For instance, if you want to calculate 7% tax for the numbers in column A and display it in column C, you would use the following method: Example: Enter 573 into cell A1 and 10% into cell B1. Copy the following formula and paste it into cell C1 to calculate 10% of 573: =(A1*B1)
How to Find the Percentage of a Total
Another option is to calculate the percentage of a total. For instance, if you’re trying to save $1,500 and are up to $736 in your savings account, you might want to know what percentage of your goal you’ve reached. Rather than multiplying, you’ll need to use a formula to divide. Enter =A1*B1 in Excel 2016 for Mac or Excel for Mac 2011.
Change an Amount by a Percentage in Excel
If you want to decrease an amount by a specific percentage, Excel can help. For instance, you might want to decrease your grocery spending on your budget worksheet by 17%. To do so, you’ll need to calculate the percentage using multiplication and subtraction. Your formula should look like this: =(B1/A1) in Excel 2019, 2016, Excel 2013, Excel 2010, Excel 2007 or Excel Online. Your formula should look like this: =B1/A1 in Excel 2016 for Mac or Excel for Mac 2011.
