Displaying Fractions

[Kim]

When I enter a fraction such as 3/6 or 8/12, excel automatically simplifies
the fraction to read 1/2 or 2/3. How do I display the original fraction, ie,
an unsimplified version that I can use in formulas throughout the
spreadsheet?

Thanks,
Kim

 

[Ben M. Schorr - MVP (OneNote)]

Out of curiosity - since the values are the same what difference does it
make if you're just going to use them in formulas? 3/6 is the same as
1/2 mathematically.

--
-Ben-
Ben M. Schorr, MVP
Roland Schorr & Tower
http://www.rolandschorr.com
http://www.officeforlawyers.com

When I enter a fraction such as 3/6 or 8/12, excel automatically simplifies
the fraction to read 1/2 or 2/3. How do I display the original fraction, ie,
an unsimplified version that I can use in formulas throughout the
spreadsheet?

Thanks,
Kim

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[MartinW]

By far, the best solution, is to urge your government to adopt
a weights and measures system that consigns fractionation
to the history books.

My apologies for not being helpful
Martin

 

[Niek Otten]

Hi Kim,

You'll have to format explicitly to a certain denominator.
Format>Cells>Number tab>Custom, in the Type box enter (for example) ??/6 or ??/12

--
Kind regards,

Niek Otten
Microsoft MVP - Excel

| When I enter a fraction such as 3/6 or 8/12, excel automatically simplifies
| the fraction to read 1/2 or 2/3. How do I display the original fraction, ie,
| an unsimplified version that I can use in formulas throughout the
| spreadsheet?
|
| Thanks,
| Kim

 

[Don Guillett]

Or, if you don't want to use in calculations, just format as text or put an
' in front

 

[sbutler]

I have the same problem. I am trying to figure out how often different sites work for something, so I want the total number of success over the total number of attempts.

 

[GS]

Try using ratio instead...

Successes:Attemps

Attemps=12, Successes=8

Cell Entry would be
8:12

...which indicates 8 successes to 12 attempts.

Optionally, you can prepend an apostrophy to the entry so Excel treats
it as text (the apostrophy will only display in the FormulaBar)...

'8/12

--
Garry

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