The result is a decimal value that is formatted using the percentage number format. However, since we don’t have a column for the number of students absent in the table, we need to calculate this number as part of the formula: After we convert this to an Excel formula with cell references, the formula in E5 becomes: As the formula is copied down, the formula returns calculated “percent absent” for each class listed in the table. These results are decimal numbers formatted with the Percentage number format.
Formatting percentages in Excel
In mathematics, a percentage is a number expressed as a fraction of 100. For example, 55% is read as “Fifty-five percent” and is equivalent to 55/100 or 0.55. To display values like this with with a percent sign (%), apply Percentage number format.
Dave Bruns
Hi - I’m Dave Bruns, and I run Exceljet with my wife, Lisa. Our goal is to help you work faster in Excel. We create short videos, and clear examples of formulas, functions, pivot tables, conditional formatting, and charts.
