In today’s fast-paced business environment, Microsoft Excel has become an indispensable tool for professionals. One of the most crucial tasks is to calculate the percentage difference between two numbers, which helps in making data-driven decisions. In this article, we will cover step-by-step instructions on how to calculate percentage difference between two numbers in Excel.

Step 1 – Open Excel and enter your data

Launch Microsoft Excel and enter the numbers into two separate cells. For example, you can place the first number (Initial Value) in cell A1 and the second number (Final Value) in cell B1.

Step 2 – Select an empty cell to display the result

Clicking on an empty cell, preferably one that is adjacent to your initial and final values, will be the location where Excel outputs your result. In this example, we will use cell C1.

Step 3 – Enter the formula for percentage difference

To calculate the percentage difference between the two numbers, you will need to use the following formula:

=(Final Value – Initial Value) / ABS(Initial Value) * 100

Now, translate that formula into Excel language. Click on cell C1 and then type:

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

Press Enter to get the result.

Step 4 – Format as a percentage

By default, Excel might display your result as a decimal value. To format it as a proper percentage:

1. Right-click on cell C1.

2. Select “Format Cells.”

3. Choose “Percentage” under Category in the Number tab.

4. Specify the desired number of decimal places (if needed).

5. Click OK.

You have now successfully calculated the percentage difference between two numbers in Excel!

Conclusion

Calculating percentage difference between two numbers is easy with Microsoft Excel and this skill can help you analyze data quickly and compare values efficiently. With this information, you can make better decisions, track progress, and monitor results with ease. Remember to practice and use this guide to reference when needed. Soon, you will become an Excel wizard, adept at handling even the most complex calculations!