Are you tired of searching for a specific function to calculate the percentage change in your Google Sheets? Look no further! In this article, we will uncover the secrets of writing an array formula that will not only provide you with accurate results but also save you precious time. So grab a cup of coffee and let’s dive right in!
Change and % Change: What’s the Difference?
Change refers to the difference between two values, commonly known as the “new” value subtracted by the “old” value. On the other hand, percentage change represents the same difference but expressed in percentage form.
To better illustrate this concept, let’s take an example. According to my Google Analytics statistics, the number of visitors to my website was 7720 yesterday and 7304 on the same day last week. Therefore, the change in site traffic can be calculated as follows:
=7720-7304
Result: 416
Impressively, the percentage change in site traffic is +5.70%, which is undoubtedly a great sign for any webmaster. To calculate this percentage change, we can simply divide the change value by the old value:
=416/7304
Result: 0.57, or 5.70%
Calculating Percentage Change in Google Sheets
Now that we understand the concept of change and percentage change, let’s see how we can calculate it in Google Sheets. There are two methods: non-array formula and array formula.
Non-Array Formula
The non-array formula is suitable for a small range of data. However, if you have a large dataset, an array formula will save you valuable time and effort. Here’s how to calculate the percentage change using a non-array formula:
=to_percent((C2-C3)/C3)
The formula calculates the percentage change, but the result will be in decimal form. To format it as a percentage, we use the to_percent function. Alternatively, you can rewrite the formula using equivalent functions:
=to_percent(divide(MINUS(C2,C3),C3))
Array Formula to Calculate Percentage Change of Values in a Column
If you have a large dataset with multiple rows, using an array formula is the way to go. Let’s say you have monthly sales amounts from January to December in a column. To calculate the monthly percentage change, you can use the following array formula:
=ArrayFormula(if(B2:B="",,IFERROR((B2:B-B1:B)/B1:B,0)))
Here are a few points to keep in mind while using the array formula:
- Ensure that you don’t copy the formula down the column.
- If you encounter a #REF! error, make sure that the corresponding cells in column C are blank.
- Format the array (C2:C) as a percentage by going to Format > Number > Percent.
- Avoid leaving any blank cells between the data range in column B.
That’s it! You’re now equipped with the knowledge to calculate percentage change in Google Sheets like a pro.
Crawlan.com is your go-to resource for all things Google Sheets. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, our website is filled with valuable tips, tricks, and tutorials to help you excel in your data analysis journey. Visit us today and unleash the true potential of Google Sheets!
Resources:
- How to Use Percentage Value in Logical IF in Google Sheets
- How to Use the Percentile Function in Google Sheets
- The PERCENTRANK Functions in Google Sheets
- How to Randomly Extract a Certain Percentage of the Rows in Google Sheets
- Percentile Rank Wise Conditional Formatting in Google Sheets
- How to Use the UNARY_PERCENT Function in Google Sheets
- Average of Top N Percent of the Values in Google Sheets
- Query to Filter a Column Contains Percentage Values in Google Sheets
- Calculating the Percentage of Total in Google Sheets [How To]
- Percent Distribution of Grand Total in Google Sheets Query
