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XL Spreadsheet Percentage Formula Question

stone7
stone7 Posts: 2,464 Forumite
1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
Hi All.

In cell A1 I have 100(£). I want cell B1 to show the value of cell A1 minus 20%.

... I've tried, [=A1-20%] and get nothing like the right answer.

Any ideas much appreciated.

Comments

  • Esqui
    Esqui Posts: 3,414 Forumite
    Try
    =(0.8*A1)
    

    Since 0.8 x A1 is equal to A1 minus 20%
    Squirrel!
    If I tell you who I work for, I'm not allowed to help you. If I don't say, then I can help you with questions and fixing products. Regardless, there's still no secret EU law.
    Now 20% cooler
  • stone7
    stone7 Posts: 2,464 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Esqui wrote: »
    Try
    =(0.8*A1)
    

    Since 0.8 x A1 is equal to A1 minus 20%

    You're a superstar... works a treat... thank you.:beer:
  • focae
    focae Posts: 147 Forumite
    Esqui wrote: »
    Try
    =(0.8*A1)
    

    Since 0.8 x A1 is equal to A1 minus 20%

    That is fine but not very useful if you change the percentage.

    You could use =A1-(A1*20%)

    This way you could just change the percentage by editing the formula.

    A better way would be to enter the percentage as a number in another cell, say C1.

    Then use the formula =A1-(A1*C1%)

    This way you can change the percentage without editing the formula, just change the number in cell C1.

    Make sure that cell C1 is formatted as a number (the default format) and not a percentage or it won't work, the percentage bit is done in the formula you entered in cell B1.
  • Bikertov
    Bikertov Posts: 1,598 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    That is a complex way of going about it.

    If:
    A1 is your original number
    B1 is your variable percentage figure (format the cell as percentage)
    C1 is your answer

    Then:
    Cell C1 just contain the simple formula =A1*B1
  • focae
    focae Posts: 147 Forumite
    Bikertov wrote: »
    That is a complex way of going about it.

    If:
    A1 is your original number
    B1 is your variable percentage figure (format the cell as percentage)
    C1 is your answer

    Then:
    Cell C1 just contain the simple formula =A1*B1

    That doesn't give what the OP was after.

    For an original no. of 100 the result of your formula gives the result as 20 ie 20% of 100.

    The OP was after 100 minus 20% which is 80. You have over simplified your formula.
  • Bikertov
    Bikertov Posts: 1,598 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Yes, OK - late at night, not reading ...

    In which case:

    Cell C1 just contain the formula =A1*(1-B1)
  • focae
    focae Posts: 147 Forumite
    Bikertov wrote: »
    Yes, OK - late at night, not reading ...

    In which case:

    Cell C1 just contain the formula =A1*(1-B1)

    Yes, I agree that is a little more elegant - but hardly less complicated as it involves formatting cells
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