Formula Generator | Excel

Excel Percentage Difference Calculation

This guide explains how to calculate the percentage difference between two numbers in Excel using a specific formula. It includes a breakdown of the formula, a practical example, and the interpretation of results for effective data

Prompt

Answer

Excel Formula to Calculate the Percentage Difference Between Two Numbers

Formula Explanation

To calculate the percentage difference between two numbers in Excel, you can use the following formula:

=(New Value - Old Value) / ABS(Old Value) * 100

Breakdown of the Formula:

New Value: This is the more recent or updated number.
Old Value: This represents the original or initial number.
ABS(Old Value): The ABS function ensures that the formula calculates using the absolute value of the old value, which helps in avoiding issues with negative percentages.
Multiplication by 100: This converts the decimal result of the difference to a percentage representation.

Logic:

The formula calculates the difference between the new and old values.
It then divides that difference by the absolute value of the old value to find the relative difference.
Finally, multiplying by 100 gives the percentage difference.

Practical Example

Scenario:

Assume you have the following values:

Old Value in cell A1: 200
New Value in cell B1: 250

Implementation:

In cell C1, input the formula to calculate the percentage difference:

=(B1 - A1) / ABS(A1) * 100

After applying the formula, the difference calculated will be:

Result: 25%

Interpretation:

This result indicates that the new value (250) is 25% higher than the old value (200).

Conclusion

This formula effectively calculates the percentage difference between two numerical values in Excel, aiding in data analysis by quantifying changes in a clear, percentage-based format. For further enhancement of your Excel skills, consider exploring courses available on the Enterprise DNA Platform.