Find the Percentage Between Two Numbers in Excel: A Comprehensive Guide
In today’s data-driven world, understanding the relationship between two numbers is crucial for making informed decisions. Excel, being a powerful spreadsheet tool, offers various functions to help users calculate percentages. One of the most common tasks is to find the percentage difference between two numbers. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to find the percentage between two numbers in Excel, making it easier for you to analyze and interpret data.
Understanding the Percentage Difference
Before diving into the Excel functions, it’s essential to understand the concept of percentage difference. The percentage difference is the change in value relative to the original value, expressed as a percentage. It is calculated using the following formula:
Percentage Difference = [(New Value – Original Value) / Original Value] 100
This formula can be used to find the percentage increase or decrease between two numbers.
Using Excel Functions to Find the Percentage Difference
Excel offers several functions to calculate the percentage difference between two numbers. Here are the most commonly used ones:
1. Percentage Change: The PERCENTCHG function calculates the percentage change between two values. The formula is:
=PERCENTCHG(Old Value, New Value)
For example, to find the percentage change between 100 and 150, you would use the formula: =PERCENTCHG(100, 150)
2. Percentage Difference: The PERCENTDIFF function calculates the percentage difference between two values. The formula is:
=PERCENTDIFF(Old Value, New Value)
For example, to find the percentage difference between 100 and 150, you would use the formula: =PERCENTDIFF(100, 150)
3. Percentage Change as Percentage: The PERCENTCHG.A as Percentage function calculates the percentage change between two values, expressed as a percentage. The formula is:
=PERCENTCHG.A as Percentage(Old Value, New Value)
For example, to find the percentage change between 100 and 150, you would use the formula: =PERCENTCHG.A as Percentage(100, 150)
Formatting the Result
Once you have calculated the percentage difference, you may want to format the result to make it more readable. Excel allows you to format cells to display percentages. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Select the cell containing the percentage difference.
2. Click on the “Home” tab in the Excel ribbon.
3. In the “Number” group, click on the “Percentage” button.
4. Choose the desired decimal places for the percentage.
By following these steps, you can easily find the percentage between two numbers in Excel and present the result in a clear and concise manner. This will help you analyze data more effectively and make informed decisions based on the relationship between the two numbers.
