How to calculate percent of total using Microsoft Excel

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In these examples we’re going to show how to calculate the percent of a total using Microsoft Excel.

The basic formula to do this is

Part / Whole = Percent

You then format the cell as a percent.

Percent using row total

If you already have the total (for example as the bottom of the row).

  1. create a SUM formula
  2. start with the value – e.g. B2
  3. divide by the TOTAL – e.g. B6
  4. format the field = e.g. C2 – as a percent

For example

=SUM(B2/B6)

Percent using row sum

If you don’t already have the total – you’ll need to do two sums – for the total and then the percent.

  1. create a SUM formula
  2. start with the value – e.g. B2
  3. enter a forward slash /
  4. create another SUM formula
  5. select or enter the full total range – e.g. B2:B5
  6. format the field = e.g. C2 – as a percent

For example

=SUM(B2/SUM($B$2:$B$5))

 

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