Calculate Excel Ratio (Table of Contents)
Ratio in Excel
A ratio is a way to compare two data sets which allow us to get which data is greater or lesser than which. It also gives the portion between 2 parameters or numbers. By this, we can compare the two data sets.
How to Calculate Ratio in Excel?
To calculate ratio in excel is very simple and easy. Let’s understand how to calculate ratio in excel with some examples.
Calculate Ratio in Excel – Example #1
A calculating ratio in excel is simple but we need to understand the logic of doing this. Here we have 2 parameters A and B. A has value as 10 and B has value as 20 as shown below.
And for this, we will use a colon (“:”) as a separator. So for this, go to the cell where we need to see the output. And type “=” sign (Equal) to go to edit mode of that cell. In the first syntax divide the cell A2 with B2 and in second syntax divide cell B2 with B2 itself. By doing this, we will be creating the short comparative values to have a short ratio value as shown below.
Note: & is used for concatenation of both the syntaxes and colon (:) is the ratio symbol which is fixed between concatenation formula.
Once done with syntax preparation, press Enter to see the result as shown below.
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As we can see above, the calculated value of the ratio is coming a 0.5:1. This value can further be modified to look better by multiplying the obtained ratio with 2 to have a complete exact value, not in fraction or else, we can keep it as it is in original form.
Calculate Ratio in Excel – Example #2
There is another method of calculating the ratio in excel. We will consider the same data which we have considered in example-1. If we see the syntax which we have used in example-1 where we have divided cell B2 with B2 as shown below.
By dividing cell B2 with B2 or any cell with the same value of that cell gives the output as 1. The obtained ratio in example-1 is 0.5:1 where value 1 is a division on 20/20 if we mathematically split the syntax. And 0.5 is the division of 10/20. Which means if we keep 1 as by default in the second syntax (Or 2nd half of the syntax), then eventually we will get value 1 as comparative of the First syntax (Or 1st half of the syntax).
Now, let’s apply this logic in the same data and see what result we get.
For this, go to the cell where we need to see the output and type “=” sign. Now in the first half of the syntax, divide the cell A2 with B2 and in the second half of the syntax put only “1” as shown below.
As we can see in the above screenshot, we have kept “1” in the second half the syntax creating the same value as example-1. Now press Enter to see the result.
As we can see in below screenshot, the obtained result is the same result we got in example-1.
Now verify both the applied formulas in example-1 and example-2, we will test them with a different value in both the syntaxes. For testing, we kept 44 in cells A2 and A3 and 50 in cells B2 and B3. And in both ways of calculating Ratio, we are getting the same value in excel as shown below.
Calculate Ratio in Excel – Example #3
There is another method for calculating Ratio in excel. This method is a little complex with short syntax. In excel there is a format of finding Greatest Common Divisor, which means when we select 2 values then compare with third one, it automatically considers the greatest value from which that comparative ratio value will get divided. This we have done manually in example-1 and example-2. For this also, we will consider the same data which we have seen the above examples.
Now go to the cell where we need to see the result and type “=” sign. Now select the cell A2 and divide it with GCD. And in GCD select both cells A2 and B2. Same procedure follows for the second half of the syntax. Select the cell B2 and divide with GCD. And in GCD select both cells A2 and B2 separated by a comma (,) as shown below.
Note: & is used for concatenation of both the syntaxes and colon (:) is the ratio symbol which is fixed between concatenation formula
Once we do that, press Enter to see the result as shown below.
As we can see above, the calculated ratio is coming as 1:2. Practically the ratio calculated in example-1 and example-2 are half of the ratio coming in example-3 but has the same significance in reality. Both values carry the same features.
Not let’s understand GCD function. GCD or Greatest Common Divisor in excel automatically find the greatest value to divide it with the value present in the numerator. Eventually giving the same result which got in methods used in example-1 and example-2.
Pros
- Methods shown in all the examples are easy to use.
- It is easy to understand the syntax and value entered.
- We can modify the syntax as per our requirement.
- If there are more than 3 values it needs to be compared and for that, we can use the same formula.
- A good thing about calculating Ratio with GCD in excel is it gives the result which also looks good in terms of number character and numbers.
Things to Remember
- Make sure, the concatenation is done properly to avoid errors.
- We can use proper CONCATENATION formula instead of using & as a separator.
- A value obtained in example-1 and 2 and example-3 seems different but technically there is no difference in all the ratio values.
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