Excel - decimal inches to fraction problem.

[jalbes]

My current work place manufactures thermoplastic composite lumber boards (Plastic Lumber) which are intended for decks. One of the field guys who assembles these decks mentioned an interest in an excel spreadsheet to determine the optimal "framing dimensions" for x-number of boards without the need of cutting/splitting any boards. So I made up an excel spreadsheet for him. Confused by the decimal inches he's requested that it be fractional inches.

So I managed to convert everything into fractions of (x/16"). However, this appears to be still too confusing for some and I'd like to know if there's a way to convert the fractions to the lowest common denominator (such that: 0.5" = 1/2" and not 8/16").

See attached, Any idea's?

Thanks,
Shaun

[faulkner132]

Since you are handling everything as a string, you would have to use temporary cells for the numerator (N) and denominator (D) and then test to see if [D/N=integer value (I)] and if so, recalculate your display measurements using I instead of the hard coded 16 you are using.

Originally Posted by jalbes However, this appears to be still too confusing for some and I'd like to know if there's a way to convert the fractions to the lowest common denominator (such that: 0.5" = 1/2" and not 8/16").

They do teach fraction reduction in 4th grade...