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How to format a number as a percentage in Excel and Google Sheets
Topic:PercentagesExcel & Google Sheets
=B2*100%✓
Verified example
Computed by a real spreadsheet engine on the sample data below.
| Decimal | Percentage |
| 0.75 | |
| 0.25 | |
| 0.5 | |
| 0.1 |
=B2*100%→0
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Sample data — click any cell to edit
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Step by step
- 1Select the cell or range of cells you want to format as a percentage.
- 2Right-click the selected cell(s) and choose 'Format Cells...' in Excel or 'Format' > 'Number' > 'Percent' in Google Sheets.
- 3Adjust the number of decimal places if necessary by using the increase or decrease decimal buttons.
Tips
- Ensure your numbers are in decimal format before applying percentage formatting.
- In both Excel and Google Sheets, the percentage format multiplies the number by 100 automatically.
- Be cautious with locale settings as they can affect how percentages are displayed.
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Frequently asked
Can I change the number of decimal places in the percentage?
Yes, use the increase or decrease decimal buttons in the toolbar.
What if my number is already a percentage?
If your number is already a percentage (e.g., 75 for 75%), divide it by 100 before applying the percentage format.
Does this work for negative numbers too?
Yes, percentage formatting works for negative numbers as well, displaying them with a minus sign.
More on Percentages
See all →How-to
How to calculate a percentage
Work out what percentage one number is of another with a simple division, then format the result as a percent. Same in Excel and Google Sheets.
Error fixFix Wrong %
Fix wrong percentage results in Excel and Google Sheets — caused by conflating the percentage symbol with the decimal value or double-applying the % format.
How-toHow to calculate percentage change
Find the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers with (new − old) / old, then format as a percent. Works in Excel and Sheets.
How-toHow to add a percentage to a number
Increase a number by a percentage with number × (1 + rate) — handy for tax, markup, or raises. Same in both apps.
How-toHow to calculate a cumulative percentage
Use a running SUM divided by the total SUM to build a cumulative percentage column in Excel or Google Sheets.
How-toHow to calculate attendance percentage
Divide attended sessions by total sessions and multiply by 100 to get attendance percentage in Excel or Google Sheets.