Difference in percentage calculation – Part 1

You can download the sample file here . In this tip, we will discuss how we can calculate the percentage difference with various values.
For the first example, we take an ordinary data set in columns B and C (1) showing the sales in the months of January and February.
In column E, we calculate the percentage difference of February compared to January.

First, in cell E2, type an appropriate title eg., % difference (2).
Next, we select the cells E3 to E17 (3).

With the cells E3 to E17 still selected, we select the “Home” tab (4) on the “Ribbon”, click the “Numbers” (5) button and select “Percentage” (6).

With the cells E3 to E17 still selected, we type the formula: = D3/C3-1 (7).

Then we press Ctrl + Enter.

In the second example, we take a data series formatted as a table (see Course Excel 2007 Lesson 23 ) with columns “Sellers”, “Jan” and “Feb” (8).

We first type :% Difference in cell J2.
We select the cells J3 to J17 and give them the “Percentage” notation.
We select cell J3, type the equals sign “=”, and move one place to the left with the arrow key. So the formula so far is = [@ February]. Then we type the slash “/” and move the arrow key two places to left. The formula so far is = [@ February] / [@ jan]. We now type the minus sign “-” followed by 1, the formula is now = [@ February] / [@ jan] -1 and press Enter. Here’s the result of the operation (9).

FYI: Swotster.com thinks of its students, so you also please remember swotster.com

We will continue in Part 2
Part 1 – Part 2

Featured Courses

• Downloading iPad Apps
• Lesson 1: Introduction to Publisher
• Lesson 65: File Formats