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Excel Formula for Percentage of Total

By Szabó Gergő · Updated

Divide the row amount by the column total and lock the total with $ so the formula copies cleanly down the sheet.

Syntax and arguments

=IF(SUM($B$2:$B$100)=0,"",B2/SUM($B$2:$B$100))
row amount
The value on this row, such as B2.
total range
The full amount column, locked with $.

Percentage of total examples

01
Share of revenue

Amounts in B2:B20.

=B2/SUM($B$2:$B$20)

B2 is this row. $B$2:$B$20 stays the same when you copy down.

02
Guard an empty total

The column can be all blank.

=IF(SUM($B$2:$B$20)=0,"",B2/SUM($B$2:$B$20))

Avoids #DIV/0! before any numbers are entered.

03
Percent of a filtered total

Visible rows only, Excel 365.

=B2/SUBTOTAL(109,$B$2:$B$20)

SUBTOTAL 109 sums visible cells after a filter.

Common mistakes

  • Forgetting $ on the total

    Use $B$2:$B$20 or the total shifts when you fill down.

  • Formatting as number instead of percent

    Set the result column to Percent format.

  • Including the header in the SUM

    Start the total at the first data row.

Percentage of total FAQ

Should I multiply by 100?

No if the cell is Percent format. Yes only if you want a raw 0-100 number.

Can the total sit in another cell?

Yes. Put =SUM(B2:B20) in B22 and use =B2/$B$22.

How do I show one decimal?

Use a percent format with one decimal, or =ROUND(B2/$B$22,3).