To use a percentage formula in Excel 2013, you’ll need to understand the basics of Excel formulas and how to apply them to calculate percentages. Whether you’re looking to find out the percentage of a total, the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers, or any other percentage calculation, Excel 2013 makes it easy once you know the steps.
After completing the action, you’ll be able to perform various percentage calculations in Excel 2013. This skill is particularly useful in financial analysis, data reporting, and everyday calculations.
Introduction
Excel 2013 is a powerful tool used by students, professionals, and anyone who needs to organize and analyze data. One of its most useful features is the ability to calculate percentages, which can be crucial for understanding proportions, growth rates, and many other important metrics. Whether you’re a business owner trying to figure out profit margins, a teacher grading assignments, or a student analyzing data for a project, knowing how to use the percentage formula in Excel 2013 is an invaluable skill.
Percentage calculations are everywhere in the real world. They help us understand sales discounts, monitor performance improvements, and make sense of statistical data. That’s why being proficient in using Excel 2013 to calculate percentages is so essential – it’s not just about being good at math, it’s about making informed decisions based on quantitative analysis. So let’s dive into how you can become a percentage wizard using Excel 2013!
Step by Step Tutorial to Use a Percentage Formula in Excel 2013
This tutorial will guide you through the steps to use the percentage formula in Excel 2013 effectively.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Excel 2013
Open the Excel 2013 application on your computer to get started.
When you open Excel 2013, you’ll be greeted with a blank spreadsheet or the option to select a template. For percentage calculations, a simple blank spreadsheet will do just fine.
Step 2: Enter the Numbers You Want to Calculate
Type the numbers you want to perform the percentage calculation on into the cells.
Ensure that the numbers are entered correctly, and remember that Excel treats numbers with a percent sign differently than those without.
Step 3: Select the Cell Where You Want the Result to Appear
Click on the cell where you want the percentage result to be displayed.
Choosing the right cell is important because it determines where the result of your calculation will show up. Make sure it’s not a cell already containing data, as the formula will overwrite it.
Step 4: Type the Percentage Formula
Enter the percentage formula into the formula bar. The basic formula for calculating a percentage of a number is =(Part/Total)*100.
The formula bar is located at the top of your Excel worksheet, where you can enter or edit data in the selected cell.
Step 5: Press Enter to Display the Result
After typing the formula, hit enter on your keyboard to see the percentage result in the selected cell.
Once you press enter, Excel 2013 will calculate the percentage based on the formula you entered, and the result will appear in the cell you selected.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Easy calculations | Using a percentage formula in Excel 2013 simplifies complex calculations that would otherwise require manual work or a calculator. |
| Accurate | Excel 2013 provides precise percentage calculations, reducing the risk of human error in your computations. |
| Time-saving | Excel’s ability to compute percentages quickly saves you valuable time, especially when working with large datasets. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Learning curve | Some users may find it challenging to learn the various percentage formulas and how to apply them in Excel 2013. |
| Formula errors | If not entered correctly, formulas can produce incorrect results, leading to potential data misinterpretation. |
| Over-reliance on software | Relying too much on Excel 2013 for calculations can diminish one’s ability to perform mental math or understand the underlying math principles. |
Additional Information
Using the percentage formula in Excel 2013 is just the beginning of what you can do with percentages in Excel. There are other formulas and functions that can be useful, such as the PERCENTILE function, which can help you find the k-th percentile of values in a range, or the PERCENTRANK function, which can give you the rank of a value as a percentage of a data set.
Another tip is to ensure your cells are formatted correctly. Excel offers a ‘Percentage’ format, which automatically converts the decimal value into a percentage and adds the percentage symbol. To apply this, simply select the cell, right-click, choose ‘Format Cells’, and then select ‘Percentage’.
Lastly, remember that understanding the context of your data is critical. A percentage increase might look good on paper, but what does it mean in real-life terms? Always interpret your results with the bigger picture in mind.
Summary
- Open Microsoft Excel 2013.
- Enter the numbers you want to calculate.
- Select the cell where you want the result to appear.
- Type the percentage formula into the formula bar.
- Press Enter to display the result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the basic percentage formula in Excel 2013?
The basic formula for calculating a percentage of a number is =(Part/Total)*100.
Can Excel 2013 automatically format numbers as percentages?
Yes, Excel 2013 can automatically format numeric values as percentages. Right-click on the cell, choose ‘Format Cells’, and select ‘Percentage’.
How do I calculate a percentage increase in Excel 2013?
To calculate a percentage increase, use the formula =((New Value – Original Value)/Original Value)*100.
Can I use Excel 2013 to calculate a percentage of a total sum?
Absolutely! You can use =(Part/Total)*100 to find out what percentage a part is of a total sum.
How do I calculate a percentage discount in Excel 2013?
To calculate a discount, use the formula =(Discounted Price/Original Price)*100 to find the percentage of the discount.
Conclusion
Mastering the percentage formula in Excel 2013 is an essential skill for anyone looking to analyze data effectively. Whether for personal or professional use, Excel 2013 offers a range of tools to make percentage calculations straightforward and accurate.
By following the steps and tips outlined in this article, you’ll be able to harness the power of Excel to make informed decisions and present data in a clear, quantifiable way. So go ahead, give these percentage formulas a try and watch your Excel proficiency soar!
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.