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Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

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    Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    I'm new to Excel, I self taught myself a little a few years ago but I forgot it. I want to be able to just use straight functions. So I am trying to do this simple thing: I want to divide the values in Column B by the values in Column C and put the answer in Column D. To be more specific, I want to take ten years, (Column A), take the number of Full Time jobs each year,(Column B), divide by the Civilian Noninstitutional Population each year, (Column C), and put the fraction for each year in Column D. What do I write in?
    Much thanks.

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    If you want to divide B1 by C1, then
    D1=B1/C1
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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    Thank you. Now, if there are ten years, (Column A), is there any way I can write in so 10 years of B get divided by ten years of C all at once? I'm willing to do the ten individually if that's the best way to get started.

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    You have lost me?

    Maybe =(A1/C1)/B1
    ?

    (shouldnt need the () there though)

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    Okay, I got the answer to D1 = B1/C1. Now is there any way I can write it so I can do D1 through D10 at once?

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    You get better help if you add an ecel file.

    But just a shot.

    a1 =sum($B1:$B1000)/sum($C1:$C1000)
    Notice my main language is not English.

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    Thank you. What I am interested in is not getting everything all summed in the column. I've been told how to get
    D1 = B1/C1 It works good. But I have ten rows. So instead of having to go down the line and writing,
    D1=B1/C1
    D2=B2/C2
    D3=B3/C3
    D4=B4/C4
    D5=B5/C5
    all the way down to D10, I was wondering if I could shortcut that and write something which will produce a column of D1, D2, D3, etc all the way down to D10.

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    Click on Cell D1 and drag down as many columns as required.

    Mouse on bottom right of cell, get a "+" sign and hold down left-button and drag down. Formula will repeat as you require.

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    When I drag down from cell D1 down to cell D10, the box in the upper left hand corner says "D1:D10". Okay, what is the formula I write in the box-not the little box which says "D1:D10", but the other longer box next to it? "=B1/C1" doesn't seem to work. Neither does "B1:B10/C1:C10". I'm not putting the quotes in the boxes.
    Last edited by blickers; 07-03-2015 at 02:32 PM.

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    Add the excel file, without confidential information.

    Add manualy the expected result in your file.

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    Ok stop a minute.

    There are two ways to do this

    Put your formula in D1. it works right?

    Now move your cursor to the bottom right corner of D1

    The cursor will change to a small + with no arrow heads.

    now left click and drag tour cursor down to D10 and release the left mouse button.

    ========================================================

    Put your formula in D1 it works right?

    select D1, left click and move your cursor down to D10

    release the left button

    Click into the formula bar click at the end of the formula and press ctrl and then enter together
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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    I think the best way to resolve this, is for you to upload a small (clean) sample workbook (not a pic) of what you are working with, and what your expected outcome would look like.

    To attach a file to your post,
    click advanced (next to quick post),
    scroll down until you see "manage file",
    click that and select "add files" (top right corner).
    click "select files" find your file, click "open" click "upload" click 'done" bottom right. click "submit reply"

    Once the upload is completed the file name will appear below the input boxes in this window.
    You can then close the window to return to the new post screen.

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    Re: Simple Question: Dividing The Cells In Column C by the the Cells in Column B

    Finally got it! The thing was to remember that D1 had to have a numerical answer in it, not just the formula, before you put the cursor in the right hand corner, click-and-hold left, and scroll down. I think I forgot to put the = sign before the command in the function box. So it's all done, problem solved. I want to thank FDibbens, oeldere, John Topley, and mehmetcik for taking the time to explain this. I feel I can now use Excel for simple functions, which is mostly what I want it for at the present time, and to make graphs. I think I remember how to make those, if not I'll come back here. But as far as I'm concerned, this problem is solved and I will mark it so. Thank you all very much.

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