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How to Calculate Percentage Increase in Excel (Step-by-Step)

To calculate percentage increase in Excel, use the formula =(New Value - Old Value) / Old Value, then format the result as a percentage. For cell-based data, that...
Excel spreadsheet showing sales data, formulas, and growth charts used to calculate percentage increases.

To calculate percentage increase in Excel, use the formula =(New Value - Old Value) / Old Value, then format the result as a percentage. For cell-based data, that looks like =(B2-A2)/A2.

The Core Formula

If your old value is in cell A2 and your new value is in cell B2:

=(B2-A2)/A2

Press Enter, then select the cell and click the % button (or press Ctrl+Shift+%) to format it as a percentage instead of a decimal.

Worked Example

Item Old Value (A) New Value (B) Formula Result
Monthly Sales $4,000 $4,800 =(B2-A2)/A2 20%
Website Traffic 12,000 15,600 =(B3-A3)/A3 30%
Product Price $50 $45 =(B4-A4)/A4 -10%

Notice row 3 shows a negative result. That’s correct. A percentage decrease just shows as a negative percentage using the same formula, so you don’t need a separate formula for increases vs. decreases.

Applying the Formula Down a Column

  1. Enter the formula in the first row (e.g., =(B2-A2)/A2).
  2. Format that cell as a percentage.
  3. Click the small square at the bottom-right corner of the cell and drag it down to copy the formula to the rest of your rows.

Excel automatically adjusts the cell references (A2, A3, A4…) as you drag. This is called a “relative reference,” and it’s what makes the formula work across a full column of data without retyping it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to format as a percentage, without formatting, Excel shows 0.2 instead of 20%.
  • Dividing by the new value instead of the old value gives a different (incorrect) number. Always divide by the original (old) value.
  • Using absolute references by accident, if your formula shows the same result copied down the whole column, you likely locked a reference with a $ sign unintentionally.

A Shortcut for Multiple Periods

If you’re tracking percentage change across many months, use this formula in the first data row and drag it across:

=(C2-B2)/B2

Then repeat the pattern for each new period, comparing each column to the one before it.

FAQ

What is the formula for percentage increase in Excel?
 =(New Value - Old Value) / Old Value, formatted as a percentage. For example, =(B2-A2)/A2.

Why does my Excel percentage show as a decimal?
Because the cell isn’t formatted as a percentage yet. Select the cell(s) and press Ctrl+Shift+% to fix it.

Can Excel calculate percentage increase automatically for a whole column?
 Yes, enter the formula once with relative references, then drag the fill handle down the column to apply it to every row.

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