How to Calculate Percentage Between Multiple Numbers in Excel

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through two methods to calculate percentages between multiple numbers in Excel. You will learn how to determine the percentage change between two numbers and how to extend this to three or more numbers. These techniques are useful for analyzing data over different time periods or understanding the breakdown of total values in a clear manner.

Step 1: Calculate Percentage Change Between Two Numbers

To calculate the percentage change between two numbers in Excel, follow these steps:

1. Enter Your Data

   • Input your two numbers in two separate cells. For example:
     • Cell A1: Original Value
     • Cell B1: New Value

2. Use the Percentage Change Formula

   • Click on an empty cell where you want to display the percentage change.
   • Enter the formula:

     =(B1-A1)/A1
     

   • This formula subtracts the original value from the new value, then divides the result by the original value.

3. Format as Percentage

   • Select the cell with the result.
   • Press Ctrl + Shift + % to format it as a percentage, or right-click, select "Format Cells," and choose "Percentage."

4. Interpret the Result

   • The result will show the percentage increase or decrease from the original value to the new value.

Step 2: Calculate Percentage Change Among Three or More Numbers

For calculating percentage changes among three or more numbers, follow these steps:

1. Enter Your Data

   • List your numbers in a single column. For example:
     • Cell A1: Value 1
     • Cell A2: Value 2
     • Cell A3: Value 3
     • And so on...

2. Calculate Percentage Change for Each Pair

   • In the next column (B), use the following formula for the first pair (A1 and A2):

     =(A2-A1)/A1
     

   • Drag this formula down to apply it to the other pairs (A2 to A3, A3 to A4, etc.).

3. Format as Percentage

   • As in Step 1, format the results in column B as percentages using Ctrl + Shift + %.

4. Analyze the Data

   • Review the percentage changes to understand how each value relates to the previous one.

Practical Tips

• Ensure your original values are not zero, as this will result in a division error.
• Use consistent data ranges to keep your calculations accurate.
• For larger datasets, consider using Excel functions like PERCENTCHANGE (if available) for automated calculations.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively calculate percentage changes between two or more numbers in Excel. This skill is valuable for various applications, such as financial analysis, sales performance tracking, and general data reporting. For more complex scenarios or additional examples, consider downloading the workbook from the provided resources or exploring further content on ExcelDemy.