XL: How to Find the Percentage of Change Between Values (214078)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel 2000
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 97 for Windows
  • Microsoft Excel 2001 for Mac
  • Microsoft Excel 98 Macintosh Edition
This article was previously published under Q214078

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, there is no built-in function to calculate the percentage of change from one value to another. However, you can use the following formula to calculate the percentage change

=(new_value-original_value)/ABS(original_value)

where original_value represents the value that the percentage of change is based on, and new_value represents the value that has changed.

You may also use the following alternate formula:

=(new_value/original_value)-1

To display the resulting value as a percentage value, format the cell containing the formula with a percentage format.

MORE INFORMATION

To see an example, follow these steps:
  1. In a new worksheet, type the following values: 
       A1: Sales for 1998     B1: Sales for 1999
   A2: $100,000           B2: $175,000
   A4: Percent Change     B4: =(B2-A2)/ABS(A2)
    If you use the alternate formula, type the formula =(B2/A2)-1 in cell B4.
  2. With cell B4 selected, click Cells on the Format menu.
  3. On the Number tab, click to select Percentage in the Category column, and then select a percent format.
Note that the 1999 sales increased 75 percent over the sales for 1998. This is the percent of change.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/28/2003
Keywords:kbhowto KB214078
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