How to Remove Percentage Symbol in Excel
Removing the percentage symbol in Excel is a straightforward task. You can do it in just a few clicks. This guide will walk you through the steps to remove percentage symbols from cells, making the numbers more versatile for other calculations.
Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Remove Percentage Symbol in Excel
Below are the steps to remove the percentage symbol in Excel. By following these steps, you will be able to convert percentage values into plain numbers.
Step 1: Select the Cells
Select the cells that contain the percentage symbols you want to remove.
Click and drag your mouse to highlight the cells, or use Ctrl + click to select individual cells. This ensures you’re targeting only the cells with percentages.
Step 2: Open Format Cells Dialog
Right-click the selected cells and choose "Format Cells" from the context menu.
This opens a dialog box where you can adjust various formatting options for your selected cells.
Step 3: Choose the Number Tab
In the Format Cells dialog, navigate to the "Number" tab.
This tab offers various number formatting options, allowing you to change how Excel displays the data.
Step 4: Select General or Number
Under the "Number" tab, select either "General" or "Number" category.
Choosing "General" will display the numbers without any specific formatting, while "Number" will allow you to set decimal places.
Step 5: Click OK
Click the "OK" button to apply the new formatting.
Once you hit "OK," Excel will remove the percentage symbols and display the numbers in the chosen format.
After completing these steps, your cells will no longer display percentage symbols, making the numerical data ready for other types of analysis and calculations.
Tips for Removing Percentage Symbol in Excel
Here are some tips to make the process even smoother:
- Double-Check Your Selection: Make sure you’ve only selected the cells you want to change.
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Press Ctrl + 1 to open the Format Cells dialog quickly.
- Bulk Changes: You can select entire rows or columns to remove the percentage symbols in bulk.
- Decimal Places: When selecting the "Number" format, you can specify how many decimal places you want.
- Undo Option: If you make a mistake, use Ctrl + Z to undo the last action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the values after removing the percentage symbol?
The values are converted to decimal form. For example, 50% becomes 0.5.
Can I revert the changes?
Yes, you can use Ctrl + Z to undo or repeat the steps and choose the Percentage format again.
Will this affect formulas?
No, changing the cell format will not affect the underlying formulas.
Is there a quick way to select all cells with percentages?
You can use the Find & Select feature to highlight all cells containing the percentage symbol.
Does this work in all versions of Excel?
Yes, these steps are applicable across most versions of Excel, including Excel 2010, 2013, 2016, and Office 365.
Summary
- Select the Cells
- Open Format Cells Dialog
- Choose the Number Tab
- Select General or Number
- Click OK
Conclusion
Removing the percentage symbol in Excel can be a quick and easy task if you follow the outlined steps. This process is useful when you need the raw numerical data for other calculations, comparisons, or simply to clean up your spreadsheet.
By mastering this simple but handy trick, you can make your Excel sheets more versatile and ready for a variety of tasks. Whether you are working on a school project, handling business data, or just tweaking personal budgets, this basic skill can come in handy.
If you found this guide helpful, consider exploring other Excel tips and tricks to further enhance your spreadsheet skills.
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.