How to calculate percentage change with negative number?
I believe calculating percentage change should have a very top ranking on the most frequently used calculations in spreadsheet. Agree?
For me, I often simply do the calculation with a simple formula: “=After/Before – 1” which is a simplified form of “(After-Before)/Before”.
It sounds alright…… only if you are not dealing with negative number!!
If it happens that the BEFORE is negative, it gives you a negative result regardless of your AFTER performance. Don’t get it? Take a look at the below example:
Pls note the use of ABS function in the formula. The Syntax is
ABS(number)
which returns the absolute value of a number. The absolute value of a number is the number without its sign.
In this case, you will get the correct answer even if you have negative number BEFORE
Convenience has a cost; you have to pay the price sometimes
wmfexcel 