How to Convert Percentage to Number in Excel
Converting a percentage to a number in Excel is straightforward. You simply need to remove the percentage formatting from your cell. You can achieve this by changing the cell format from ‘Percentage’ to ‘General’ or ‘Number,’ which will display the value as a whole number or a decimal. This process only takes a few clicks and can be done in seconds.
Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Convert Percentage to Number in Excel
In this section, we’ll walk through the specific steps needed to convert a percentage to a number in Excel. By the end of these steps, your percentage values will be displayed as numbers.
Step 1: Select the Cell or Range of Cells
First, you need to select the cell or range of cells that contain the percentage values you want to convert.
Click on the cell you wish to change. If you have multiple cells, click and drag to highlight them all. This ensures you’re making changes to all the desired cells at once.
Step 2: Open the Format Cells Dialog Box
Next, you’ll need to open the Format Cells dialog box to change the cell formatting.
Right-click on any of the selected cells and choose ‘Format Cells’ from the context menu. This will open up a new window where you can adjust the formatting options.
Step 3: Change the Cell Format to General or Number
Inside the Format Cells dialog box, you need to change the format type from ‘Percentage’ to ‘General’ or ‘Number.’
In the Number tab, select ‘General’ or ‘Number’ from the list on the left. If you choose ‘Number,’ you can also specify the number of decimal places.
Step 4: Click OK to Apply Changes
After choosing the desired format, click OK to apply the changes.
This will close the dialog box and your selected cells will now display their values as numbers instead of percentages.
Step 5: Check the Result
Finally, you want to verify that the conversion has been done correctly.
Look at your cells to make sure they now show the raw numbers without the percentage sign. If they do, you’re all set!
Once you complete these steps, your percentages will be converted into numbers. This is useful when you need to perform further calculations or analyze the data without the percentage format.
Tips for Converting Percentage to Number in Excel
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Press Ctrl + 1 to open the Format Cells dialog box quickly.
- Double-check Cell Values: Sometimes, converting can lead to unexpected values; always double-check.
- Copy Before Converting: Make a copy of your data before converting, just in case.
- Use Formulas: You can also use formulas like =A1/100 to convert percentages.
- Understand the Basics: Knowing why and when to convert can help you make better decisions with your data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my data when I change the format?
When you change the format from percentage to number, the underlying value remains the same, but it is displayed differently.
Can I convert multiple cells at once?
Yes, you can select a range of cells and change the format for all of them simultaneously.
Will this affect any formulas I have?
Changing the cell format will not affect formulas that reference these cells. However, the displayed values will change.
Is there a way to automate this?
You can use VBA macros to automate the formatting change if you have to do it frequently.
Can I change the default cell format in Excel?
While you can’t change the default cell format for all new workbooks, you can create a custom template with your preferred settings.
Summary of Steps
- Select the Cell or Range of Cells
- Open the Format Cells Dialog Box
- Change the Cell Format to General or Number
- Click OK to Apply Changes
- Check the Result
Conclusion
Converting percentages to numbers in Excel is a simple but useful skill that can help you manage your data more effectively. Whether you’re preparing a financial report, analyzing survey results, or just cleaning up a spreadsheet, understanding how to toggle between different formats can save you a ton of time and hassle.
Remember to always double-check your data to ensure accuracy. If you’re frequently performing these conversions, consider learning more about Excel’s advanced features, like VBA macros, to automate the process. Happy Excel-ing!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.