Excel 2007: Show percentages with a little color

Percentages interpret your data as smaller parts of a larger piece. This is why pie charts are often a popular way to demonstrate percentages. However, if you want to conserve space and still present an attractive, effective visual of your percentage data, Excel 2007 offers a great alternative.

1. Select the data range (values) to format.
2. On the Home ribbon, Styles group, click the drop-list arrow next to the Conditional Formatting icon.
3. Choose any formatting option in the Data Bars section.

When you apply data bars, the bars visually demonstrate the percentage or number in comparison to the other numbers in the data range, much like a bar chart would. If you widen or contract the column’s width, the data bars remain proportionate.

View a video demonstration.