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Percentage Formula in Excel: Marksheet, Percentage of Total & Growth (With Examples)
In Excel, percentage = part ÷ total. Type =B2/C2 and format the cell as % (Ctrl+Shift+5). For percentage change use =(New-Old)/Old, and to add a percentage use =A2*(1+B2).
- Percentage: =Part/Total, then format as %.
- Change: =(New-Old)/Old.
- Add or remove a %: =A2*(1+B2) or =A2*(1-B2).
The percentage formula in Excel is one of the most searched Excel questions – and one of the easiest once you see the pattern.
Basic percentage (marks)
| A | B | C | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Student | Marks | Total | Percentage |
| 2 | Riya | 412 | 500 | =B2/C2 → 82.4% |
Type =B2/C2 and press Ctrl+Shift+5 to show it as a percentage. Copy it down for all students.
Percentage change (growth or fall)
Formula: =(New-Old)/Old. If sales went from 40,000 to 46,000: =(46000-40000)/40000 = 15%. A negative result means a fall.
Add or remove a percentage
| Task | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Add 18% | =A2*(1+18%) | 1,000 → 1,180 |
| Discount 10% | =A2*(1-10%) | 1,000 → 900 |
| What is 25% of a value | =A2*25% | 800 → 200 |
Don't multiply by 100 and also format as % – you will get 8240%. Either format as % or multiply by 100, not both.
Type the Riya example into a sheet: 412 in B2, 500 in C2, =B2/C2 in D2, then press Ctrl+Shift+5.
Learn the next formulas
Once percentages are easy, learn IF, COUNTIFS and VLOOKUP from our Excel formulas list. They are often asked in interviews – see the fresher resume guide to show these skills well.
Example: a class marks sheet
Show as text
- Column B: marks, column C: total.
- Percentage in D2:
=B2/C2, formatted as %. - Grade in E2:
=IF(D2>=90%,"A",IF(D2>=75%,"B","C")). - Rank in F2:
=RANK.EQ(D2,$D$2:$D$40).
Show the right number of decimals
Use the Increase/Decrease Decimal buttons on the Home tab, or =ROUND(B2/C2,3) – 0.824 shows as 82.4% (one decimal in the percentage).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the formula for percentage in Excel?
Divide the part by the total, like =B2/C2, then format the cell as a percentage.
How do I calculate percentage increase in Excel?
Use =(New-Old)/Old and format as a percentage.
Why does Excel show 8240% instead of 82.4%?
You multiplied by 100 and also formatted as %. Use only one of the two.
How do I calculate percentage of total in Excel?
Divide each value by the total with the total cell locked, like =B2/$B$10, and format as %.
How do I show percentage without decimals?
Format the cell as % and use Decrease Decimal until no decimals show.
