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If a person has to deal with mathematical calculations in Excel, then subtracting a percentage from a number is a very important part of his work. There are many situations where this can be useful. For example, according to this principle, the cost of goods can be formed, profit can be calculated. Today we will figure out what needs to be done to deduct interest. It is important to say that there are several methods for solving this problem. Let’s take a step-by-step look at each of the available methods.
How to subtract percentages in a fixed percentage spreadsheet
Situations are different. For example, there may be a table with values and there is a separate cell containing a percentage that needs to be subtracted from the values indicating the cost of goods with a markup in rubles. The formula in this case is very simple, and everyone can use it. To get acquainted with it, please look at the formula bar of the program window, which is shown in our screenshot.
We see that the absolute address of the cell is used here. You can distinguish it from relative by the presence of a dollar sign near the corresponding letter and number. In this way, the user shows Excel that it needs to fix this address and not change it while copying the cell to other fields or transferring the value with the autofill marker.
To change the relative address of a cell to an absolute one, press the F4 button on the keyboard. Further, the cell with percentages will be automatically fixed in the formula and therefore it will not change until the user manually makes changes to the formula.
After entering the formula and the addresses of the corresponding cells, you should press the enter key and get the finished result. To make changes to the formula, if necessary, click on the formula input line and change the corresponding values. 
Now we can perform the same action that we will perform next – use the autocomplete marker. To do this, move the mouse cursor to the lower left corner of the cell, and then drag it to all the remaining lines. In the screenshot we see what we have done.
Subtraction of percentages in the completed table
But what actions should be taken to save time if all the necessary information is already in the table? To do this, perform the following sequence of actions:
- Select the cell where the calculation will be carried out. After that, click on the formula input symbol (= sign). Then we click on the cell in which there is a value from which you want to subtract a specific percentage. Then write a subtraction sign (-), click on the cell again, click the asterisk sign and manually write down the desired percentage. It is also important to put a % sign after that.
- Actions are confirmed by pressing the Enter key.
Now we have the totals of subtracting the percentage from the value contained in a particular cell. The automation of the process does not end there. We can also deduct the required percentage from all cells in the column we choose. To do this, you need to make a standard left-click on the lower left corner of the cell, wait until the cursor turns into a plus sign, and then simply drag it to the end of the column or the corresponding range of values. All data will be automatically filled in.
Simply put, as a result of performing the operations described above, the difference between the number and the percentage of it will be automatically calculated not only in certain cells, but also in all others.
Such simple situations do not always happen. Sometimes we already have filled percentages in a column. How to get them from the cell? In general, the mechanism of action is the same. It’s just that now you do not need to manually write the fraction of the number that you need to get at the first stage, but get it from the cell by left-clicking on it at the appropriate stage. You can see the formula that is used in this case in this screenshot.
After the formula has been entered, it remains only to press the enter key to get the desired result in the cell.
Similarly, you can transfer the formula to other lines, which will be automatically filled with the correct values.
How to subtract a percentage from a number in Excel
In order to remove a percentage from a number, you must first calculate how much will be a certain percentage of this number. And only after that subtract it from the original value. Thus, we have a task for two actions. But the formula for performing this operation is simple, and it is taught at school: = Digit (cell) – Digit (cell) * Percentage (%). So, in order to fulfill the mathematical expression 56-23 from 56%, you must perform the following sequence of actions: Get 23 percent of 56. Subtract the value obtained at the first stage from 56. The formula itself will look like this. To see it, look at the formula bar in this screenshot.
After we indicate our readings in any cell available in the table, it remains only to press the enter key in order to confirm the entry of the formula. After that, the result will be found in the cell that was selected before.
Thus, there is nothing difficult in subtracting a percentage from it from a number. It’s a classic math formula that’s been around since high school. And if a person knows it, then there should be no problems with its application in Excel. If it so happened that he forgot her, then now he remembered.
Further, this formula can be modified not only for columns, but also for rows that contain certain values. We see that anyone can cope with this task, even if their PC skills leave much to be desired. Actually, it is with such simple formulas that mastery begins. As they say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. And you have already done it. Good luck on your next journey.