How to Calculate Percentage Change in Excel
Excel doesn't have a built-in percentage-change function, but the formula itself is one line. Here's the exact formula, how to format the result, and how to keep it from breaking on a zero.
The Excel formula is one line: =(B1-A1)/A1, formatted as a percentage. The most common mistake is multiplying by 100 in the formula and then also applying Percent Style formatting — that doubles the result. Use the formula exactly as shown and let Percent Style handle the multiplication.
The formula
With the old value in cell A1 and the new value in cell B1, enter this in C1:
=(B1-A1)/A1
Then select the cell, go to the Home tab, and click % (Percent Style) in the Number group. Excel multiplies by 100 and adds the percent sign for you — don't multiply by 100 manually in the formula, or the formatted result will be off by a factor of 100.
Shorter alternative
Some people prefer this equivalent, slightly shorter version:
=B1/A1-1
Both formulas are algebraically identical and always return the same result. Use whichever reads more clearly to you.
Using Google Sheets instead? The formula is identical — see the Percentage Change in Google Sheets guide for the exact menu paths.
Worked example
| Old value (A1) | New value (B1) | Formula in C1 | Formatted result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11,435 | 18,970 | =(B1-A1)/A1 | 65.9% |
| 3.95 | 3.52 | =(B1-A1)/A1 | −10.9% |
| 100 | 150 | =(B1-A1)/A1 | 50.0% |
Avoiding the #DIV/0! error
If the old value (A1) is 0, the formula divides by zero and Excel returns #DIV/0!. Wrap the formula in IFERROR to handle it gracefully:
=IFERROR((B1-A1)/A1, "N/A")
This returns "N/A" instead of an error whenever the starting value is zero, which is usually clearer for anyone reading the spreadsheet than a raw error code.
Formula errors like this are common in dashboard and reporting tools too, not just plain spreadsheets — see how a mismatched comparison period causes the same kind of wrong result in year-over-year calculations.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my result show 6590% instead of 65.9%?
This happens when a cell already contains a decimal fraction (like 0.659) and you multiply it by 100 in the formula, then also apply Percent Style formatting — which multiplies by 100 again. Use the formula exactly as shown above, without an extra ×100, and let the Percent Style button handle the multiplication.
What if I get a #DIV/0! error?
The old value in A1 is 0. Wrap the formula in IFERROR as shown above to display "N/A" instead of the error.
Does this formula work in older versions of Excel?
Yes. This is basic cell arithmetic, not a version-specific function, so it works in any version of Excel with the Percent Style feature — which has been standard since Excel 2007.
Can I apply this to a whole column at once?
Yes. Enter the formula once in the first row, then select the cell and double-click the small square (fill handle) in its bottom-right corner, or drag it down, to copy the formula down the column.
Sources
Related calculators and guides
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This guide is provided for general informational purposes. Screenshots and menu paths refer to current versions of Microsoft Excel and may differ slightly in older versions.
Cedrick Reese, Founder
I'm Cedrick Reese, a retired veteran and web developer who built PercentageChangeCalculators.com as part of Ready Utilities, my collection of free, user-friendly online tools. My journey began in the early 2000s with affiliate marketing and niche site development, which grew into a passion for creating practical digital utilities and calculators. After retiring, I earned a Computer Systems Technician certificate from UEI College, completed Electro-Mechanical Technologies at Tulsa Welding School, and finished the Carpentry program at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Today, I combine my technical background and craftsmanship by building furniture using traditional woodworking methods, gardening, and developing helpful online tools for users worldwide.