How to Use Data Bars with Percentage in Excel (3 Examples)

Example 1 – Using Data Bars with Percentage for Work Progress

Consider a dataset representing the working progress of ten identical projects. The project names are in column B, and their progress rates are in column C (cells B5:C14).

Follow these steps:

Select the range of cells C5:C14.
In the Home tab, click on the drop-down arrow of the Conditional Formatting option from the Styles group.
Choose the More Rules option from the Data Bars section.

Launching Conditional Formatting option to use data bars percentage for work progress

In the resulting dialog box (New Formatting Rule), change the Type of Minimum from Automatic to Number.
Set the Value of the Minimum field to 0.

Changing Minimum option type and value

Similarly, configure the Type and the Value option for the Maximum field.

Customize the bar appearance (e.g., Solid Fill with an Orange, Accent 2, Lighter 60% color).
Click OK to apply the data bar formatting based on the values.

Choosing a suitable color visible the data bar percentage for work progress

You will notice the cells will get the data bar formatting according to the values.

Using Data Bars with Percentage for Work Progress

Example 2 – Applying Data Bars with Percentage for Marks

Consider a dataset of examination marks for ten students. Student names are in column B, and their marks are in column C (cells B5:C14).

Follow these steps:

Select the range of cells C5:C14.
In the Home tab, click on the drop-down arrow of the Conditional Formatting option from the Styles group.
Choose the More Rules option from the Data Bars section.

Opening Conditional Formatting option to use data bars percentage for examination marks

In the dialog box, change the Type of Minimum from Automatic to Percent.
Set the Value of the Minimum field as 0.

Changing Minimum option type to percent and value to 0

Configure the Type as Percent and set the Value option as 100 for the Maximum field.

Customize the Bar Appearance (e.g., Solid Fill with an Orange, Accent 2, Lighter 60% color).
Click OK to apply data bars with percentage formatting.

Choosing a suitable color visible the data bar percentage in the Excel cell

You will notice that all the cells will get the data bars percentage formatting according to the values.

Applying Data Bars with Percentage for Marks

Example 3 – Utilizing Data Bars with Percentage for Income

In this example, we’ll focus on income data for ten employees during a specific month. The employees’ names are in column B, and their income figures are in column C (cells B5:C14).

Follow these steps:

Select the range of cells C5:C14.
In the Home tab, click on the drop-down arrow of the Conditional Formatting option from the Styles group.
Choose the More Rules option from the Data Bars section.

Launching Conditional Formatting dialog box to use data bars with percentage for employees' income

In the resulting dialog box (New Formatting Rule), change the Type of Minimum from Automatic to Percent.
Set the Value of the Minimum field as 0.

Changing Minimum option type to percent and value to 0

Configure the Type as Percent and set the Value option to 100 for the Maximum field.

Customize the bar appearance (e.g., Solid Fill with an Orange, Accent 2, Lighter 60% color).
Click OK to apply data bars with percentage formatting.

Choosing a suitable color visible the data bar percentage in the Excel cell