using =sum() to get a percentage

  • Thread starter Thread starter jahaglund
  • Start date Start date
J

jahaglund

I recently received a spreadsheet that contained =sum(a1/a2)-1+1. The
cell containing the formula was formatted to percentage. I was
wondering why use =sum()-1+1 when +a1/a2 would render the same result
(provided the cell is formatted to percentage)? Thank you
 
I guess whoever created the formula was just throwing things out there to see
what sticks. Sum isn't needed and -1 +1 would cancel out. I would probably
change it to something like =if(a2 = 0, 0, a1/a2)
 
I recently received a spreadsheet that contained =sum(a1/a2)-1+1. The
cell containing the formula was formatted to percentage. I was
wondering why use =sum()-1+1 when +a1/a2 would render the same result
(provided the cell is formatted to percentage)?
Click to expand...

I cannot explain why anyone would do -1+1. In some (other)
circumstances, perhaps it might convert text to numeric (just a guess);
but that does not seem necessary here. And many people seem put all of
their numeric expressions inside =SUM(...). When I asked this forum
why, I got answers ranging from "it don't hurt, so don't fix it" to
silly rationalizations. The bottom line: only someone who does not
know what they are doing would do either, IMHO. It is good that you
know enough to realize that such expressions are dubious.
 
No reason, total overkill.

--

HTH

Bob Phillips

(replace xxxx in the email address with gmail if mailing direct)
 
Tad harsh don't you think?

--

HTH

Bob Phillips

(replace xxxx in the email address with gmail if mailing direct)
 
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