Question

Which formula would you enter into C3, and then AutoFill into C4 through C6, to calculate the percent sales (Pct.) for the regions?

Answer 1

In C3, you would enter the formula:

• =B3/$B$7%

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's assume the first row is 1 and it contains the titles of the columns. For instance, the content of the cellss A1:C1 could be:

• A1: Region

• B1: Sales

• C1: Percent Sales

Also, assume the second row is empty and the cells on the first column, A, contain the names of four regions. For instance, North, South, East, and West:

• A3: North

• A4: South

• A5: East

• A6: West

The cells B3:B6 contain the sales for the four regions. For instance:

• B3: 200

• B4: 300

• B5: 100

• B6: 400

Then, you must calculate the percent sales for every region, in the cells C3:C6.

That means, you must divide the sale of every region by the total of sales and multiply by 100.

To do that in the worksheet you do this:

1. Sum the sales for the regions:

• In cell B7 introduce: =SUM(B3:B6)

2. Calculate the percent sale for the first region:

• In cell C3 introduce: =B3/$B$7%

That means that the reference B3 is relative: when you copy that formula, the column (B) and the row (3) will change accordingly to the cell where you will copy it.

Thus, by using the Autofill into C4 through C6, the column wil remain unchanged (C) and the row will change to 4, 5, and 6, respectively.

The symbol $ used in $B$7 make the reference absolute. That means that they will not change. The symbol % makes that the result is multiplied by 100.

3. When you use Autofull into C4 through C6, you obtain:

• C4: =B4/$B$7%

• C5: =B5/$B$7%

• C6: =B6/$B$7%