Formatting Issues

How to Display Exact Percentage Values from Excel in Word Mail Merge

WPS Content Manager Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users need to correctly format and display percentage values imported from an Excel spreadsheet during a mail merge, avoiding raw unformatted decimals.

How to Display Exact Percentage Values from Excel in Word Mail Merge

Product: WPS Writer / Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Generating personalized documents using a mail merge with an Excel data source containing percentage values.
Observed behavior: Percentage values imported from Excel appear as ordinary numbers with excessive decimal places instead of the desired percentage format.

Before you start

Ensure your Excel data source is saved and closed before initiating the mail merge process in your document to prevent read-only conflicts.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Custom Field Codes to Format Percentages

Modify the field code in your mail merge document to multiply the decimal value by 100 and apply a specific number format.

When importing data from Excel, word processors often read the underlying unformatted values (e.g., reading 15% as 0.15). By modifying the field code directly in your document, you can force the software to calculate and format the number correctly.

Toggle Field Codes

In your mail merge document, insert the desired merge field. Press Alt+F9 to reveal the field codes. The field will look something like { MERGEFIELD Percent }, where 'Percent' is your column name.

Apply Two Decimal Places Format

To display the percentage with two decimal places, replace the existing field code with: { = { MERGEFIELD Percent } * 100 \# ,0.00 }.

Apply Whole Number Format

If you prefer to display whole percentages with no decimal places, use this code instead: { = { MERGEFIELD Percent } * 100 \# ,0 }.

Add the Percent Sign

Type a % symbol immediately outside the closing bracket of the field code in your document to ensure the percent sign appears in the final text.

Complete the Merge

Press Alt+F9 again to hide the field codes. Preview your results to verify the formatting, then proceed to complete the mail merge.

Use Custom Field Codes to Format Percentages

Field Code Braces: Do not type the curly braces {} manually on your keyboard. They must be generated by the system (often using Ctrl+F9) when creating nested fields.

Efficient Mail Merge with WPS Office

Perform Mail Merges Seamlessly with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a highly intuitive mail merge feature that integrates flawlessly with WPS Spreadsheet, making it easy to generate personalized letters and labels with perfectly formatted numerical data.

1. Open Mail Merge: Launch WPS Writer, navigate to the 'References' tab on the top ribbon, and select 'Mail Merge' to activate the toolbar.
2. Select Data Source: Click 'Open Data Source' and browse your computer to select the WPS Spreadsheet or Excel file containing your percentage data.
3. Insert Merge Fields: Click 'Insert Merge Field' to place data into your document. Use Alt+F9 to apply any necessary calculation or formatting codes.
4. Merge and Export: Click 'Merge to New Document' to automatically generate your final customized documents with correctly formatted data.

Easily edit and format mail merge fields with custom codesFully compatible with Microsoft Word and Excel file formats (.docx, .xlsx)Lightweight performance even when merging large data sourcesFree, comprehensive office suite for all your document needs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Excel percentages show as decimals in Mail Merge?

During a mail merge, the word processor fetches the raw underlying data from the spreadsheet rather than the visual display format. Because 25% is stored mathematically as 0.25 in Excel, that raw decimal is what gets imported.

Can I format the percentages directly in Excel before merging?

Yes. As an alternative to field codes, you can create a new column in Excel and use the TEXT function, such as =TEXT(A2, "0.00%"), to convert the percentages into actual text strings. The mail merge will then import that exact text.

What if the Alt+F9 shortcut doesn't reveal field codes?

On some keyboards, particularly laptops, you may need to press the Fn key simultaneously (Fn+Alt+F9). Alternatively, you can right-click directly on the inserted merge field and select 'Toggle Field Codes' from the context menu.

How do I fix standard numbers showing too many decimal places in Mail Merge?

If you are importing standard numbers (not percentages) and simply want to restrict the decimal places, you do not need the multiplication formula. Simply add the numeric picture switch to the end of your field: { MERGEFIELD Sales \# ,0.00 }.

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