Division formula in Excel for multiple cells

You can use Excel’s division symbol to divide multiple cells in Excel.

For example,

A2/B2/C2 = 5, where A2 = 150, B2 = 3 and C2 = 10

division formula in excel for multiple cells

How does this formula work?

In an Excel formula, division and multiplication have the same order of calculation but with the left to right associativity. Read this article to know more: Order & Precedence of Operations in Excel.

So, at first, A2/B2 will be calculated = 150/3 = 50
Then the result of A2/B2 (50) will be divided by C2 = 50/10 = 5

Now check out this image.

dividing multiple cells in excel. Using parenthesis, we are changing the order of the operations

You see that formula =A2/(B2/C2) has returned value 500. Why?

Because, according to calculation order, the expression inside a parenthesis will be evaluated first.

So, (B2/C2) will be evaluated at first = 3/10 = 0.3333
Next A2 will be divided by the result of B2/C2 (0.3333) = 150/0.3333 = 500

Hope this is clear to you.

Divide two or more numbers using Forward Slash (/)

Dividing two or more numbers using Excel’s division symbol is the same as dividing two or more cells. See the image below.

dividing numbers in excel using division formula

Important to know:

Don’t forget to place an equal sign (=) before the formula; otherwise Excel might treat your entry as a date value. For example, if you input value 11/19, Excel will show your entry as 19-Nov. The cell value will be 11/19/2018 (the year I am writing this article).

Or, if you type 11/50, the cell might show value Nov-50. The cell will hold value 11/1/1950. This time as 50 cannot be a day value, Excel assumes that you’re typing the month and the year.

Be warned when you're inserting division formula in excel. use equal sign before the formula. Otherwise, excel might treat them as dates.

Divide the values of a column by a number (using formula)

# Method 1: By a specific number

Suppose you want to divide the values of a column (multiple cells) using a specific number (say 10). Use these steps:

In the cell B2, insert this formula: A2/10

dividing the values of a column by a number

Now press Enter and copy this formula for other cells in the column.

Copying the formula for all the cells in the column

And here is the result. On the right side of the image, you are seeing the formulas.

Divided a column by a specific number. You're seeing the division results and the formulas used to get the results.

# Method 2: Dynamically

Now, what if you need to divide the above column with number 50?

Will you edit the formula by changing the number from 10 to 50, and then copy the formula for other cells in the column?

It is not a good idea.

We can write this formula newly. Check out the image below. We have written the formula using an absolute cell reference ($B$2).

dividing the values of a column by a number but dynamically

By inserting different values in the cell B2, we can divide the column with different numbers.

Check out the following GIF image.

dividing the values of a column by numbers dynamically.

You see that also the heading of the 2^nd column is also changing (above image). To make the column heading dynamic, I have used this formula:

=CONCATENATE("Divide Column 'A'",CHAR(10),"(By Number ",B2,")")

CHAR(10) will insert a new line. And the CONCATENATE function joins the texts. Know more about CONCATENATE function from this link.

Divide the values of a column by a constant number (using Paste Special command)

If you want to divide the values of a column and want to keep the division values in the same column, then Paste Special is the way. Follow these steps:

Place your divisor in a cell. In our case, we have placed the divisor in the cell B1 (with value 10). Select the cell and copy the value (CTRL + C).

dividing the cells of a column in the same place using the Paste Special dialog box.

Now select the values of the column -> Right click and then click on the Paste Special command from the menu.

Copy a cell. Right click on the cells of the column and then choose the Paste Special command from the menu.

Paste Special dialog box appears. In the dialog box, select the Divide option (on the bottom-right corner of the dialog). And finally, click OK.

Keyboard shortcut to open the Paste Special dialog box: CTRL + ALT + V

Choose the divide command in the Paste Special dialog box.

And this is what you get.

The whole column is divided by a number. The division is happening in the same place.

You see that the results of the divisions have replaced the existing numbers.

How do you divide by 1000 in Excel?

Suppose A1 = 10,000 and you want to divide A1 by 1000. You can use these ways:

Using 1000 directly in the formula: A1/1000
Place the number in a cell. I place the number in the cell A2 (A2 = 1000). Now use this formula: A1/A2

dividing numbers by 1000 directly. And placing the number in a cell and then referencing the cell in the division formula.

How do you add then divide in Excel?

This is a little bit tricky.

Suppose you want to add two numbers (say they are 50 and 60) and then want to divide the result with another number 11.

Here is the formula: (50 + 60)/11 = 110/11 = 10

Add then dividing numbers in Excel. You have to use parenthesis. Otherwise, division will be evaluated first as it has higher order of operation than addition.

If you write the formula in this way: 50 + 60/11, it will result = 50 + 5.45 = 55.45; you will not get the desired result. Because, according to the order of calculations, the division will perform first (with the left to right associativity) and then the addition.

So, you have to place the addition within a parenthesis. Parenthesis has a higher order of calculations than the division.

Want to know more about operator precedence and associativity in Excel? Read this article: What is the Order & Precedence of Operations in Excel?

Calculate Percentage with Excel division formula

Suppose your company has total sales from 4 Areas: $257,800

From Area 1, the sale is $35,890

What is the contribution of Area 1 in the overall sale?

You have to calculate percentage (%) sale of Area 1 = 35890/257800 = 0.1392 = 0.1392 x 100% = 13.92%

Note: 100% = 100/100 = 1. We can multiply with any number.

In Excel, you will just change the cell format using Percent Style (%).

calculate percentage in excel with division formula. You have to change the format of the cell with the Percent Style.

Handling #DIV/0! Error in Excel

In mathematics, you cannot divide a number by zero (0). It is not allowed.

So, when you divide a number by zero in Excel, it will show an error. It is #DIV/0! Error.

#DIV/0! Errors in Excel

We can handle #DIV/0! Error in Excel using two functions:

IFERROR Function
IF Function

# Handling #DIV/0! Error using IFERROR function

At first, let’s use the IFERROR function to handle #DIV/0! Error.

Syntax of IFERROR Function: IFFERROR(value, value_if_error)

See how I have used the IFFERROR function to handle the #DIV/0! Error.

Handling #DIV/0! error using IFERROR

# Handling #DIV/0! Error using IF function

Now, I will use the IF function to handle the #DIV/0! Error.

Syntax of IF function: IF(logical_test, [value_if_true], [value_if_false])

Here is the way to use IF function to handle #DIV/0! Error.

Handling #DIV/0! error using IF function

Download Working File

Division-formula-in-Excel-for-multiple-cells

Conclusion

So, using the division formula in Excel for multiple cells is not tough. Did you find anywhere hard to understand this article? Let me know in the comment box.

Hope this article adds some value to your life.

Kawser

Hello!
Welcome to my Excel blog! It took me some time to be a fan of Excel. But now I am a die-hard fan of MS Excel. I learn new ways of doing things with Excel and share here. Not only how to guide on Excel, but you will get also topics on Finance, Statistics, Data Analysis, and BI. Stay tuned!