How do I express a ratio (1:4 meaning 1 adult to every 4 children.

[Guest]

I am trying to find a way to express a fraction as a ratio 1:4, I have tried
programming it simply to look like a fraction (using the format cells/custom
option) but this doesn't work. I am using the 2000 version.

 

[Chip Pearson]

I don't believe this is possible.


--
Cordially,
Chip Pearson
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Pearson Software Consulting, LLC
www.cpearson.com

 

[Dave Peterson]

If A1 contains the number of adults
If B1 contains the number of kids

=substitute(text(a1/b1,"?/?"),"/",":")

Increase that ?/? to ??/?? if you want a twodigit:twoDigit (33:14)

Note that is now text -- not a number.

 

[Jason Morin]

AFAIK you can't format a number that way, but given 2
numbers in A1 and B1, you could use this tip:

http://www.j-walk.com/ss/excel/usertips/tip81.htm

HTH
Jason
Atlanta, GA

 

[Sandy Mann]

Iris,

If you mean just enter 1:4 in a cell then precede the entry with an
apostrophe or custom format the cell as h:m

HTH

Sandy