Here's how to do it with each method:
Method 1: Subtracting Initial Value
Identify the cells containing the initial value (before improvement) and the final value (after improvement). Let's say the initial value is in cell A1 and the final value is in cell B1.
In a blank cell (let's say C1), enter the following formula:
Excel
(B1 - A1) / A1
Use code with caution.
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This formula subtracts the initial value (A1) from the final value (B1) and then divides the result by the initial value (A1).
Press Enter. The result will be a decimal representing the improvement as a proportion of the initial value.
To convert this proportion into a percentage, multiply the result by 100 and format the cell as a percentage. You can right-click on cell C1, select "Format Cells," and choose the Percentage format.
Method 2: Dividing by Initial Value
Follow steps 1 and 2 from Method 1 to identify the cells containing the initial and final values.
In a blank cell (let's say C1), enter the following formula:
Excel
(B1 / A1) - 1
Use code with caution.
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This formula divides the final value (B1) by the initial value (A1) and then subtracts 1 from the result.
Press Enter. The result will be a decimal representing the percentage improvement.
You don't need any further steps to convert this into a percentage, as the formula already calculates it directly.
Choosing the Right Method
Both methods are mathematically equivalent and will give you the same answer. Whichever formula you find easier to understand and remember is the best choice for you.
Additional Tips:
You can copy the formulas in cells C1 (from either Method 1 or 2) down to other cells if you want to calculate the percentage improvement for multiple data points.
Remember to adjust the cell references (A1, B1, C1) in the formulas to match the actual location of your data in your spreadsheet