converting from normal numbers to percantages

[mr1134]

i got a formatting problem. when i convert a cell from number format to a percantage format i get for an 4,5 a 4500,0% while a 4,5 should be a 4,5%.

this can't be that hard, but i still didn't figure out how to solve it.

[David]

[mr1134]

could be my problem. i'm also working with the english version, so it might be confused with the ",".

if i enter a 4,5 into a field that is already formatted as percent it also stays a 4,5. but when i enter it in a cell formatted as number and than convert that cell to percentages, i get as i already told a 4500,0%.

[RickRandom]

Some suggestions, (all based on . as the UK decimal separator):

1. Always enter a % as "10%" and Calc will realise that you want a percent, so behind the scenes the actual number is 0.1 (because 10% = 10/100 = 0.1) but it shows 10% in the formula bar and on the screen.

2. If you enter the number 10, then format as percentage, it wil show as 1000%. Similarly if you enter 1, then format as percentage, it wil show as 100%. This is correct mathematically.

3. If you enter 12/30 (without an equals sign) it will think you want a date, defaulting to the current year. If you've already formatted as percentage, it wil put the number of days since 1904 or whenever, i.e. several thousand, and then show as a percentage, so a silly number, 3908100%.

4. If you enter =12/30 (with the equals sign) it realises this is a mathematical expression, so shows 40%, if already formatted as percentage.

5. Percent is only a format. Put the number 0.5 in three cells. Format 1 cell as percent, so it shows 50%. Format another as fraction, so it shows as 1/2. Leave the other as 0.5. It's same number behind the scenes in all 3 cells, it's just the format that's different.

Does this help, have I just caused more confusion?

[9point9]

This is just how percentages work, I know they confuse some people.

1 = 100% You can prove this because x/x=100% or 1.

1*100 != 100% it equals 10000%

I would always specify a percentage sign.
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[David]

[RickRandom]

To me, formatting shouldn't convert the actual number, only how it is displayed.

I suggest:

When entering a fixed percentage that is not a calculation, type 40%, using the percent symbol. When overwriting it, don't type the % again, just type 30 if you want 30%.

When entering a calculation that you want to show as a percentage, just do the calculation, e.g. =12/30 without a % symbol, enter that, then set the format to percent.

As a numbers nerd, I find it easy to get a spreadsheet to do the percentages how I want them, but it doesn't mean it's easy to explain to someone else.

[9point9]

[RickRandom]

[David]