- Enter the initial value into a cell such as A1.
- Enter the percentage to be deducted into the neighboring cell, B1 in this case.
- Paste the following formula into the next cell: =A1-(A1*B1%)
- Press “Enter.” Excel calculates the new value and displays it in the cell.
When working with data in Microsoft Excel, it is important to understand how to subtract percentage. Whether you are creating a budget, calculating discounts, or simply trying to make sense of complex data, being able to accurately subtract percentage in Excel is a must-have skill. While the process may seem intimidating at first, once you understand the formula, subtracting percentage in Excel is a breeze. In this blog post, we will walk through the exact steps for subtracting percentage in Excel, as well as provide some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of the process. With our guidance, you’ll be a pro at subtracting percentage in Excel in no time.
How to Subtract a Percentage in Microsoft Excel : Microsoft Word & Excel
Why would you want to subtract percentages in Excel?
You may subtract percentages in spreadsheets for many reasons, including:
Estimating polling information
When conducting a public poll, you can estimate your results by subtracting percentages. For example, you might discover that 25% of a city favors a new tax. You can obtain a rough estimate of these numbers by subtracting the percentage from the population of the city. When calculating other polling data, like the number of voters who are still undecided, you can also subtraction percentages.
Gauging potential tax payments
Using spreadsheets to keep track of your debits, credits, and other payments can help you prepare your taxes better. Subtracting percentages may help when estimating various tax return elements. For instance, you could figure out non-deductible sums and percentages and use this knowledge to make a streamlined and effective tax return for state and federal payments.
Preparing a budget
Spreadsheets can be useful for budgeting by producing a straightforward format with various formulas to determine your spending requirements. You may subtract percentages when estimating various financial factors. For instance, you could figure out how much of your income goes toward paying for rent, a mortgage, auto insurance, and other expenses. This information could facilitate budgeting by estimating your remaining income after paying off all of your debts.
Creating comparison charts
Excel’s percentage subtraction function can be useful when creating different comparison charts from your spreadsheets. For instance, you can produce pie charts using cell data based on percentage subtraction. This step could facilitate the creation of charts by automatically processing percentage data before turning it into a straightforward chart.
Understanding population data
During census years, gathering population data may necessitate using multiple spreadsheets to analyze different factors. You can deduct percentages from these sheets when estimating various population values. For instance, you might discover 30% of one demographic within the boundaries of a city and use that proportion to estimate the total population of this segment within a neighborhood.
What does it mean to subtract a percentage in Excel?
When you subtract percentages, you take away a portion of the original number. This phrase is different from subtracting a percentage-representing decimal. This is crucial because Excel automatically converts percentages into decimals whenever you enter a portion into a formula, computes the outcome, and then turns the sum into a percentage. As a result, the final calculation may be different:
How to subtract percentages in Excel
You can use a few straightforward steps and a few spreadsheet formulas to easily calculate percentage subtraction in Excel. The steps you may take include:
1. Know what formula doesnt work
When subtracting percentages, stay away from the fundamental subtraction formula (such as =A2-10%). Excels internal programming converts this formula to =A2-0. 1. It then computes the outcome and gives you the percentage, which is 99. 9% here. Before continuing with this process, remove any inaccurate percentage subtraction formulas you added to your spreadsheets.
2. Multiply by the percentage
Excel’s percentage multiplication gets around this issue and displays accurate results for percentage subtraction. Because adding a percentage to a number automatically subtracts the remainder from the result, this peculiar mathematical situation arises. Follow these syntax examples to get started:
Any calculation that calls for a percentage subtraction can be done using this formula. By removing extra spaces or values from your Excel formulas, you can modify your syntax to reduce the likelihood of error messages. The majority of Excel formulas only contain a few terms and values, so you can check your formula manual to correct any mistakes.
4. Try a more complex Excel formula
Some users might employ a trickier formula to take percentages out. Your starting cell value, such as 100, is multiplied by the congruent percentage, or the rate you added to the first to reach 100% (for example, 10% for 90%), and the result is subtracted. In your Excel spreadsheet, you can:
When calculating more intricate percentages or pulling data from other cells, you can use this formula. For example, you could change the formula to read =A4-(A3*10%) or =A4-(A3*0) to subtract a percentage from a cell. 1). When working with intricate tax data or in-depth polling data, this option may be useful.
5. Troubleshooting your results
Read through your results and double-check them against expectations. For instance, if your formula returns a percentage or error symbol, you could edit your spreadsheet. Errors can occur when a percentage symbol is omitted or the wrong cell value is entered. To properly convert whole-number percentages, always add a% at the end.
Tips for subtracting percentages in Excel spreadsheets
Knowing how to use Excel formulas properly simplifies your work and reduces the likelihood of mistakes. The following hints could help you use Excel more effectively and make subtraction of percentages easier:
Understand how to use brackets
For Excel user formulas, mathematical brackets offer an appropriate focusing mechanism. They force Excel to calculate the equation contained within the brackets before moving on to other equations. For instance, you can calculate a multiplication formula before subtracting it by enclosing it in brackets. For any additional Excel math formulas, brackets are also an option.
Use keyboard shortcuts, as needed
Excel keyboard shortcuts simplify entering formulas in spreadsheets. For instance, to extend the current range down a row, select a cell range and then click “SHIFT” and the down arrow. To move subtraction formulas to additional, nearby cells, use these short cuts. This shortcut can also be used to fix mistakes with cell placement, such as entering inaccurate data into a cell.
Display formulas when troubleshooting your spreadsheet
Entering “CTRL” automatically displays your formulas on your worksheet. Editing is made simpler when you demonstrate them when you encounter any troubleshooting situations. To once again hide the formulas and reduce their visibility on your spreadsheets, press the same keys. By choosing “Display Formulas” from the “View” menu, you can also change this setting.
Turn off automatic calculation until you finish
Every time you make a change, automatic calculation transforms the results of the formulas in your spreadsheet. If your spreadsheet contains multiple formulas, you can disable this option. Turning off automatic calculation may improve spreadsheet operation speed. You can choose a cell and press “Enter” to view the outcome without performing an automatic calculation.
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FAQ
How do you take 10% off in Excel?
Using the formula =1-n%, where n is the percentage, you can subtract 15% by adding a negative sign in front of the percentage. To subtract 15%, use =1-15% as the formula.
How do you subtract 20% from a price?
The basic formula for calculating a percentage is =part/total. Say you’re trying to apply a discount and you want to reduce a certain amount by 25%. Here, the formula will be: =Price*1-Discount %. (Think of the “1” as a stand-in for 100%. ).
