How to Calculate Percentage Increase from Zero in Excel (4 Methods)

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Excel is certainly by far the most used tool for calculation. In Excel, we can perform almost all the calculations that we require in our daily life. We will try to learn how to calculate the percentage increase from zero in Excel. Basically, it is very simple to calculate percentage increase in Excel. However, things seem a bit complex when we calculate the percentage increase from zero. In this article, I am going to show you four methods on how to calculate percentage increase from Zero in Excel.


Practice Workbook

This is the dataset that I am going to use to explain how to calculate the percentage increase from zero in Excel. We have the Revenue of XYZ Company for a particular Month. We have set the Revenue for February zero. Now, we will calculate the Change of Revenue in percentage using this dataset.

how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel


Basics of Percentage Increase

Generally, the formula to calculate percentage change is given below;

Change(%)=(Final Value-Initial Value)/Initial Value*100
In our case, we are concerned about calculating the percentage increase from zero. That means the initial value is zero for our case. That’s where the complexity comes.
Mathematically when we divide any number by zero, the result is undefined. So in this article,  while calculating the percentage increase from zero in Excel, we have assumed that the percentage change is 100%. That means, if any parameter (Revenue in our case) increases from zero to a certain value, no matter what the value is, we will consider the percentage change to be 100%. That’s how we deal with when we calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel.

4 Methods on How to Calculate Percentage Increase from Zero in Excel

1. How to Calculate Percentage Increase from Zero in Excel using IF Function

We can use the IF function to calculate the percentage increase from zero in Excel. To do so,
First, select cell D5. Then write down the formula;

=IF(C4=0,1,C5/C4-1)

how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel
Here, we have set the logical test that our initial value (C4) is zero. Now, if the statement is TRUE, the output will be 1, which is 100%. In other cases, Excel will return the percentage increase following the percentage change formula.
Now, press ENTER. Excel will return the change in Revenue according to the formula in the Formula Bar.

how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel
Since, C4<>0, Excel returns -1 by calculating $(0.00/1348.00)-1
Now convert the number into percentages. To do so, select the “%” sign from the Number group of Home tab.


Excel will convert the number into percentages.

Then use the Fill Handle to AutoFill up to cell D15.

how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel

A positive percentage indicates the increase in Revenue whereas a negative percentage indicates the decrease in Revenue.
Note: We have no change in percentage for the month of January. That’s because we do not have the data before January to compare with.

Read More: How to Calculate Percentage Decrease in Excel (2 Methods)


2. How to Calculate Percentage Increase from Zero in Excel using SIGN Function

In this method, I will show you how to calculate the percentage increase from zero in Excel using the SIGN function. To apply this method,
First, go to cell D5. Then write down the formula;

=IF(C4=0,SIGN(C5),C5/C4-1)

how to calculate percentage increase from zero in ExcelTo understand the formula, let’s first concentrate on the logical test.
Here, the logical test is C4=0. Now, if this statement is TRUE, Excel will return the result of  SIGN(C5) as output. If the statement is FALSE, Excel will return the output by calculating C5/C4-1 to get the percentage increase.

Formula Breakdown

SIGN(C5) ⟶ It returns the result to represent the sign of the number in cell C5.
        Output ⟶ 0
C5/C4-1 ⟶ It will calculate the increase in Revenue.
        Output ⟶ -1
IF(C4=0,SIGN(C5),C5/C4-1) ➡ It returns us the result by analyzing the logical test.
    IF(C4=0,0,-1)
    IF(FALSE,0,-1)
        Output-1

Let’s press ENTER to see and understand the result.

how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel

Excel returns the value -1 as the result. That’s because C4 is $1348.00. Hence, the statement C4=0 is FALSE. So, Excel is returning us the output by calculating C5/C4-1.
Now to convert the number into a percentage follow the steps explained in method 1.
Then use Fill Handle to AutoFill up to cell D15.

how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel

Read More: How to Calculate Average Percentage Increase in Excel


3. Calculating Percentage Increase from Zero in Excel using AND Function

You can also use AND function to calculate the percentage increase from zero in Excel.  Notice that, we have set the revenue to be zero in May in this method; just to add some varieties in the dataset. Now, to apply this method,
First, go to cell D5 and write down the formula,

=IF(AND(C4=0,(C5-C4)<>0),1,C5/C4-1)


Here, the logical test is AND(C4=0,(C5-C4)<>0. Now, if this statement is TRUE, Excel will return 1 as output. If the statement is FALSE, Excel will return the output by calculating C5/C4-1 to get the increase in Revenue.

Formula Breakdown

C5-C4 → Subtracts C4 from C5.
        Output : -12
C5/C4-1 ⇒ Calculates the change in Revenue.
        Output: -0.008902077
AND(C4=0,(C5-C4)<>0) → Checks if all the arguments (C4=0 and C5-C4<>0) are TRUE. Returns TRUE if all the arguments are TRUE and FALSE if not.
    AND(C4=0,(-12)<>0)
        Output: FALSE (since the first argument is FALSE)
IF(AND(C4=0,(C5-C4)<>0),1,C5/C4-1) ⇒ Returns the result after analyzing the logical test.
    IF(AND(C4=0,(C5-C4)<>0),1,-0.008902077)
    IF(FALSE,1,-0.008902077)
        Output: -0.008902077

Then, press ENTER. Excel will return the output -0.008902077.

how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel

Now to convert the number into a percentage follow the steps explained in method 1.
Then use Fill Handle to AutoFill up to cell D15.

Read More: How Do You Calculate Percentage Increase or Decrease in Excel


4. Calculating Percentage Increase from Zero in Excel using ISERROR Function

In this section, I will show you how to calculate the percentage increase from zero in Excel using the ISERROR function. To apply this method,
First, go to cell D5 and write down the formula,

=IF(ISERROR((C5-C4)/C4),1,(C5-C4)/C4)
Here, the logical test is ISERROR((C5-C4)/C4. Now, if this statement is TRUE, Excel will return 1 as output. If the statement is FALSE, Excel will return the output by calculating (C5-C4)/C4 to get the percentage increase.

Formula Breakdown

(C5-C4)/C4 ⇒ Calculates the change in Revenue.
        Output : -1
ISERROR((C5-C4)/C4) → This checks whether (C5-C4)/C4 is an error or not. Returns TRUE if it is an error, FALSE if it is not.
        Output: FALSE (since –1 is not undefined or has any other error)
IF(ISERROR((C5-C4)/C4),1,(C5-C4)/C4) ⇾ Returns the result by analyzing the logical test.
    IF((ISERROR((C5-C4)/C4),1,-1)
    IF(FALSE,1,-1)
        Output: -1

Now press ENTER.
Excel will return the final output -1.

how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel
Now to convert the number into a percentage follow the steps explained in method 1.
Then use Fill Handle to AutoFill up to cell D15.

Read More: How to Calculate Price Increase Percentage in Excel (3 Easy Ways)


Practice Workbook

Though calculating the percentage increase from zero in Excel is a bit complex, it is interesting. So I believe that you should practice properly to learn how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel. I have attached a practice sheet for you to practice.


Conclusion

In this article, I have explained four methods on how to calculate percentage increase from zero in Excel. I hope these methods will be helpful to you. If you have any comments or suggestions, please leave them in the comment section.

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Akib Bin Rashid

Akib Bin Rashid

Hi, this is MD Akib Bin Rashid. I completed my BSc in Engineering back in 2019. After that, I did an MBA. Then, I joined as an Excel and VBA Content Developer at SOFTEKO Digital. Being passionate about data analytics and finance, I will try to assist you with Excel

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