How To Calculate Percentage Change in Excel (Percent Change Formula Excel)
Feb 09, 2026
✅ Quick Summary: The Percent Change Formula
To calculate percentage change in Excel, use the formula: =(New_Value - Original_Value) / Original_Value. This succinct calculation allows you to measure the degree of change between two data points, such as monthly sales or budget variances. To display the result as a percentage, either multiply the formula by 100 or use Excel’s built-in "Percent Style" button on the Home tab. This guide covers everything from basic percentage increases to advanced dynamic tracking across multiple datasets, helping you turn raw numbers into actionable growth insights while avoiding common division-by-zero errors.
Table of Contents
- The Importance of Calculating Percentage Change
- Percent Change Formula Excel
- How To Calculate Percent Change in Excel
- Comparing Multiple Sets of Data Using Percent Change
- How to Increase or Reduce a Number by a Percentage
- Percentage Points vs. Percentage Change
- Common Errors to Avoid When Calculating Percent Change
- Final Thoughts on "Percentage Change Formula Excel"
- FAQ on "Percentage Change Formula Excel"
Do you need to quickly calculate percentage change in Excel?
Excel makes this calculation simple. However, knowing the right formulas and steps can save you time and effort. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of calculating percentage difference in just a few clicks.
The Importance of Calculating Percentage Change
Percentage change represents the difference between an original value and a new value, expressed as a percentage of the original value. It is vital for Excel users because it helps analyze data trends, track performance, and make informed decisions.
Whether you're monitoring sales growth, financial performance, or personal goals, calculating percent change in Excel provides clear insights into increases or decreases over time. This makes it easier to communicate findings and identify patterns.
Percent Change Formula Excel
The formula for calculating percentage change in Excel is:
Percentage Change = ((New Value - Original Value) / Original Value) * 100
To use this formula in Excel, you would type it as:
=((B1-A1)/A1)*100
This formula will calculate the percentage change between the original and new values, giving you a quick way to measure growth or decline. Note that this is the same formula for calculating percentage increase and percentage decrease in Excel.
How To Calculate Percent Change in Excel
Here's a step-by-step guide to calculating percentage change in Excel using an example:
Example:
You have sales data for two months: January and February. The sales for January are in cell A2 (100), and the sales for February are in cell B2 (150).
1. Open your Excel sheet: Enter 100 in cell A2 and 150 in cell B2.
2. Select the cell for calculation: Click on cell C2.
3. Enter the formula: Type =((B2-A2)/A2)*100.
4. Press Enter: Excel will return 50, representing a 50% increase.
Comparing Multiple Sets of Data Using Percent Change Calculations in Excel
When tracking multiple products across quarters, you can apply the formula globally:
- In cell E2, enter:
=((C2 - B2) / B2) * 100to find the Q1 to Q2 change for Product A. - Drag the fill handle down to cell E3 for Product B.
How to Increase or Reduce a Number by a Percentage
To calculate a new value after a percentage increase or decrease, use these formulas:
- Percentage Increase:
=Original_Value * (1 + Percent_Increase). For example, to increase 100 by 20%, use=100*(1+0.2). - Reduce by Percentage:
=Original_Value * (1 - Percent_Decrease). To reduce 100 by 10%, use=100*(1-0.1).
Percentage Points vs. Percentage Change
It is important to distinguish between percentage change and percentage points. If an interest rate moves from 10% to 12%, that is a 2 percentage point increase, but a 20% percentage change. Always ensure your context matches your calculation to avoid misreporting data trends.
Don't Get Confused: Percentage Change vs. Percentage Points
One of the most common mistakes in data reporting is using these terms interchangeably. Use the table below to ensure your Excel analysis is technically accurate.
| Feature | Percentage Change | Percentage Points |
|---|---|---|
| Core Definition | Measures the rate of growth or decline relative to the starting value. | Measures the arithmetic difference between two percentage values. |
| Formula | =(New - Old) / Old |
=New_Percentage - Old_Percentage |
| Example Scenario | An interest rate increases from 10% to 12%. | An interest rate increases from 10% to 12%. |
| The Result | This is a 20% increase in the rate. | This is a 2 percentage point increase. |
| Best Used For | Financial growth, sales performance, and budget variances. | Reporting changes in interest rates, tax brackets, or survey results. |
Common Errors to Avoid When Calculating Percent Change in Excel
1. Dividing by zero: If cell A1 is 0, Excel returns #DIV/0!.
- Solution: Use
=IF(A1=0, "N/A", (B1-A1)/A1).
2. Order of Operations: Forgetting parentheses in (New-Old)/Old will result in the wrong value because Excel divides before subtracting.
Final Thoughts on "Percentage Change Formula Excel"
By using the correct formulas and avoiding common errors, you can quickly and accurately assess changes over time. Learning how to calculate percentage change in Excel will help you turn raw numbers into actionable insights with ease.
FAQ on "Percentage Change Formula Excel"
1. How do I calculate percent change in Excel?
Use the formula =(New-Old)/Old and then click the Percent Style button on the Home tab for easy formatting.
2. What is the formula for percentage increase in Excel?
To increase a value in cell A1 by a percentage in B1, use =A1*(1+B1).
3. How do I calculate the percentage difference between two numbers?
The percentage difference formula is =ABS(Value1-Value2)/AVERAGE(Value1,Value2), though most users seeking "difference" are actually looking for "change."
4. How do you calculate percentage increase or decrease in Excel for a whole column?
Enter the formula in the first cell of your results column and double-click the bottom-right corner of the cell to "flash fill" the entire range.
5. How to reduce a number by a percentage in Excel?
Multiply the original value by (1 minus the percentage). Example: =100*(1-15%) results in 85.
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