Apply Percentage Format in Excel

The Percentage format in Excel allows you to display numbers as percentages. It multiplies the underlying value by 100 and adds the % symbol, making it ideal for ratios, growth rates, and statistics.

How to Apply Percentage Format

1. Select the cells you want to format
2. Go to the Home tab → Number group
3. Click the dropdown and select Percentage
4. Optionally, adjust the decimal places as needed
5. Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + % (Windows) to quickly apply Percentage format

Tips & Best Practices

• Ensure the underlying value is in decimal form before applying the percentage format (e.g., 0.25 will display as 25%)
• Use for financial reports, statistics, or any data that represents ratios
• Combine with Conditional Formatting to highlight percentages above or below a threshold

FAQ

Q: What happens if I apply Percentage format to a whole number?

Excel multiplies the number by 100, so 1 becomes 100%.

Q: Can I change the decimal places after applying Percentage format?

Yes, use the Increase Decimal or Decrease Decimal buttons in the Number group.

Q: Does Percentage format affect calculations?

No, it only changes the display. Formulas use the actual underlying values.