Calculate Change In Excel

Introduction to Calculating Change in Excel

Calculating change in Excel can be a straightforward process, thanks to the various formulas and functions available in the software. Whether you’re looking to calculate the difference between two numbers, determine the percentage change, or find the absolute change, Excel has got you covered. In this article, we’ll delve into the different methods of calculating change in Excel, exploring the formulas, functions, and techniques that can help you achieve your goals.

Calculating Simple Change

To calculate the simple change between two numbers, you can use the subtraction formula. For example, if you want to find the difference between the values in cells A1 and B1, you can use the formula: =B1-A1. This formula will return the difference between the two values. You can also use this formula to calculate the change between two dates, times, or other numerical values.

Calculating Percentage Change

Calculating the percentage change between two numbers is a common task in Excel. To do this, you can use the formula: =(B1-A1)/A1*100. This formula will return the percentage change between the two values. For example, if the value in cell A1 is 100 and the value in cell B1 is 120, the formula will return 20%, indicating a 20% increase.

Calculating Absolute Change

To calculate the absolute change between two numbers, you can use the ABS function in combination with the subtraction formula. The formula is: =ABS(B1-A1). This formula will return the absolute difference between the two values, without regard to whether the change is positive or negative.

Using the CHOOSE Function

The CHOOSE function is a useful tool for calculating change in Excel. This function allows you to select a value from a list of arguments, based on an index number. For example, if you want to calculate the change between two values, you can use the formula: =CHOOSE(1, B1-A1, (B1-A1)/A1*100, ABS(B1-A1)). This formula will return the simple change, percentage change, or absolute change, depending on the index number you specify.

Using the IF Function

The IF function is another useful tool for calculating change in Excel. This function allows you to test a condition and return one value if the condition is true, and another value if the condition is false. For example, if you want to calculate the change between two values, but only if the change is positive, you can use the formula: =IF(B1-A1>0, B1-A1, “No change”). This formula will return the simple change if the change is positive, and the text “No change” if the change is not positive.

💡 Note: When using the IF function, make sure to specify the correct condition and return values to avoid errors.

Example Use Cases

Here are some example use cases for calculating change in Excel:

• Calculating the difference between sales figures for two different periods
• Determining the percentage change in stock prices over a given period
• Finding the absolute change in temperature readings between two different times
• Calculating the change in customer satisfaction ratings between two different surveys

Value 1	Value 2	Simple Change	Percentage Change	Absolute Change
100	120	=B1-A1 = 20	=(B1-A1)/A1*100 = 20%	=ABS(B1-A1) = 20
50	60	=B1-A1 = 10	=(B1-A1)/A1*100 = 20%	=ABS(B1-A1) = 10

In summary, calculating change in Excel can be achieved using a variety of formulas and functions, including the subtraction formula, percentage change formula, absolute change formula, CHOOSE function, and IF function. By understanding how to use these formulas and functions, you can easily calculate the change between two numbers, and make informed decisions based on your data.