How to calculate percent difference in excel

Microsoft Excel is a powerful software. We can perform numerous operations on our datasets using excel tools and features. There are many default Excel Functions that we can use to create formulas. Many educational institutions and business companies use excel files to store valuable data. Sometimes, we need to calculate the percentage difference between two numbers in excel. This is a simple task. We need to create a formula in an excel worksheet. This article will show you 4 easy methods to calculate Percentage Difference Between Two Numbers in Excel.

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4 Easy Methods to Calculate Percentage Difference Between Two Numbers in Excel

In this article, we’ll show you the formula to calculate the percentage difference between two numbers in excel. There is basically one formula to calculate this which is,

% of Difference = (First Value-Second Value)/Average of the 2 Values

Normally after applying this formula, we multiply the result by 100 to get the percentage of difference. But in excel, there are other ways to convert the formula outcome to percentage. To illustrate, we’ll use a sample dataset. For instance, the following dataset contains the Salary for January and February of an employee. Here, we’ll calculate the percentage difference between the salaries.

1. Calculate Percentage Difference Between Two Numbers Manually in Excel

In our first method, we’ll create the formula and multiply by 100 to get the percentage difference. Moreover, we’ll use the AVERAGE function to find the average of the 2 numbers. Therefore, follow the steps below to perform the task.

STEPS:

• First, select cell D6.
• Then, type the formula:

=((C6-B6)/AVERAGE(B6:C6))*100

• After that, press Enter.
• Thus, it’ll return the percentage difference.

• Subsequently, use the AutoFill tool to get the other outputs.

2. Apply Percentage Number Format for Computing Difference Between Two Numbers

However, we don’t have to multiply by 100 to get the percentage format. Instead, we can utilize the percentage number format. So, learn the following steps to carry out the operation.

STEPS:

• Firstly, click cell D6.
• Here, input the formula:

• Press Enter.
• Afterward, apply AutoFill.

• Now, select the range D6:D8.
• Next, go to Home ➤ Number ➤ %.

• As a result, it’ll return the percentage of differences.

3. Use Excel Format Cells Dialog Box to Calculate Percentage Difference

Again, the Format Cells dialog box is there to help us to convert the cell values to our required format. Hence, follow the below process to calculate the percentage difference with Format Cells Dialog Box.

STEPS:

• First of all, in cell D6, insert the formula:

• Then, return the result by pressing Enter.
• Consequently, use AutoFill.

• Next, press the Ctrl and 1 keys together.
• Hence, the Format Cells dialog box will pop out.
• In the Number tab, select Percentage.
• Press OK.

• As a result, the outputs will get transformed into percentages.
• See the picture below.

4. Determine Percentage Difference Between Two Numbers with Keyboard Shortcut

In our last method, we’ll apply the keyboard shortcut. Therefore, learn the process.

STEPS:

• In the beginning, click cell D6.
• Type the formula:

• Press Enter.
• Accordingly, use AutoFill.

• After that, select the range D6:D8.
• Lastly, press the Ctrl, Shift, and % keys simultaneously.
• In this way, you’ll get the percentage difference between the 2 numbers.

Conclusion

Henceforth, you will be able to Calculate the Percentage Difference Between Two Numbers in Excel following the above-described methods. Keep using them and let us know if you have more ways to do the task. Follow the ExcelDemy website for more articles like this. Don’t forget to drop comments, suggestions, or queries if you have any in the comment section below.